Women Seriously Sexually Assaulted In Gt Yarmouth

8 September 2014, 17:36 | Updated: 8 September 2014, 18:03

Police have started an investigation after a woman was raped and another woman was seriously sexually assaulted in Great Yarmouth.

It happened between 1:15am and 2:15am yesterday (7th Aug) in an alleyway between Regent Road and Albion Road.

Police say they need to hear from witnesses and are appealing for more information. Detective Chief Inspector Paul Durham from Norfolk and Suffolk's Joint Major Investigation Team, who is leading the investigation, said: "The investigation is in its very early stages and extensive enquiries are still taking place. 

"Assaults of this nature are extremely rare and initial accounts, which we have now had the chance to assess, suggest that one of the two victims, friends on a night out, actually spoke to the suspect immediately before he walked her along the alleyway.

"During the course of sexually assaulting the first victim, the man was stopped by the intervention of her friend, allowing the first woman to make her escape. However, the man then went on to rape the second victim."

The suspect has been described white, aged in his 20s-30s with dark brown hair.  He was described as possibly wearing grey tracksuit bottoms and trainers.  He spoke with an English accent.

DCI Durham added: "I am particularly keen to speak to anyone who saw anything in the Regents Road/Albion Road area at that time or from residents who live in that area and may have heard something out of the ordinary."

"Extra police patrols will be taking place in the South Yarmouth area to offer reassurance to local residents tonight and for the rest of this week."

Anyone with information should contact the Norfolk and Suffolk Joint Major Investigation Team on 101.