A rape investigation has been launched in St Osyth after a woman was attacked in a cemetery.

Officers are carrying out forensic investigations within the grounds of St Osyth Cemetery, in Clay Lane, after receiving reports a woman was raped on Sunday, January 14.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “A woman, aged in her 30s, said she was approached by a man in Jackson Road, Clacton, and then taken to his car, where a further two men were waiting.

“She was then driven to the cemetery where she was raped, sometime between 3pm and 4pm, by one man.

“Our specially trained officers are continuing to support the victim.”

Detective Inspector Greg Wood, of Essex Police’s Public Protection Investigation Unit, said: “We are continuing to make extensive enquiries into this serious offence, including house to house enquiries and reviewing CCTV footage.

“We are currently treating this as an isolated incident, but we understand the community will be concerned and we have increased our patrols in Jackson Road and the Clay Lane areas as a result.

“We urge anyone with information, was in the vicinity or driving with dashcam footage between 2.30pm and 5pm, or has CCTV to contact the Adult Sexual Assault Investigation Team on 101 quoting incident 731 of January 15 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”