Police are appealing for information after a woman reported she was raped in an alleyway near Tesco in Maldon.

The woman, aged in her 20s from the local area, was walking away from the Fullbridge supermarket in the underpass at Mill Lane, when she was approach by two men between 5.45pm and 6.15pm last night.

She was dragged in to bushes and was raped. A cordon has been established at the scene and investigations by detectives are on-going.

The woman is being supported by specially trained officers.

The first suspect is described as of Asian or Indian appearance, around 30-years-old, 5ft9ins to 5ft 10ins tall with stubble on his face and was wearing a Superdry jacket which has a green logo. He is the one suspected of the rape.

The second man with him was slightly taller than the first and wore a black coat and a hooded top with the hood up.

DCI Simon Werrett said: "Initial investigations have established the same men may have been seen acting suspiciously in the area earlier in the day. I need to speak with anyone who may have seen or spoken to the men.

"I would also like to speak to anyone who was in the area between 5.30pm and 7pm who may have seen anything. I have a team of detectives obtaining information about the suspects to enable us to arrest them as soon as possible.

"Maldon is a safe town to live in and I appreciate how shocking an incident like this will be to the community. I am working with the local policing commander to ensure patrols in the area are increased to both reassure residents but also to gather information about those responsible.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact detectives at Chelmsford on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.