Police issue description of attackers following sexual assault in Bognor

The offence took place in Chichester Road, Bognor Regis in the early hours of the morning of Sunday, April 25.

At 3.48am, a motorist was flagged down by an 18-year-old local woman who told him that she had been attacked.

She was approached by the three men who engaged her in conversation before assaulting her behind the bus shelter. Two of them told her that they were from eastern Europe, the third said he was Turkish.

House to house enquiries are continuing in the area of the attack, which is close to the junction with Hawthorn Road.

People are being asked if they were around between 2.30 and 3.50am on the Sunday, if they saw or heard anything in the vicinity of the bus shelter, if they had found any discarded property near their home or if they have any other information that might lead to the identity of the three men.

Two are described as in the early 20s, about 5' 6" to 5' 8", one of slim build and one medium.

The third man is 6' 2" to 6' 3", of slim build and with distinctive pointed features. All of the men were wearing casual clothing.

The investigation is being led by Det Ch Insp Adam Hibbert of the Major Crime Branch and Arun police are working closely with partners including the Arun Expanded Communities Team.

Ch Insp Jim Bartlett, district policing commander for Arun, said: "This was a nasty and unpleasant attack on a young woman on her way home after an evening out.

"I do not wish to raise alarm, as the nature of the incident is unusual in the area, but I would ask everyone to consider their personal safety at all times and especially when there are fewer people around later at night."

Katrina Middleton, who is herself Polish, is the team leader from the Expanding Communities Team said: "All of the community has been shocked and appalled by this. We are working with partners and key members of the community to assist this investigation in any way possible."

The Expanding Communities Project is a multiagency initiative set up to assist migrant workers and cohesion within the local community.

Further information can be obtained on line at www.arun.gov.uk/ecp.

Witnesses or anyone with information should call 0845 60 70 999 quoting Operation Keele or ring the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.