A woman was sexually assaulted at her home in an Essex village in the early hours of the morning.

The attack happened around 4am on Thursday, April 5 after the male perpetrator broke into her flat in the area of Marsh Crescent and High Street in Rowhedge.

The victim, aged in her 40s, is being supported by specialist officers.

Police say nothing was believed to have been stolen during the incident.

A spokeswoman for Essex Police said: “Officers are carrying out enquiries and are keen to speak to anyone who saw a man acting suspiciously in the area at the time of the incident, or has any CCTV footage. “

Anyone with information is asked to contact the North Major Crime Team on 101 or email scd.appeals.essex@essex.pnn.police.uk

Alternatively, contact the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org