DOOR-to-door enquiries and a major review of CCTV have failed to find an alleged rapist more than a week after a woman was attacked.
Police announced a major investigation had been launched and patrols increased after a rape was reported on October 5 in Pitsea.
But no arrests have been made at this stage.
The victim, aged in her 30s, reported that she had been walking near to Tesco Extra when she was approached by a man.
It is claimed he then assaulted her, before taking her to a nearby alleyway and raping her.
As a result, the force set up a specialist team in a bid to gain as much information as possible, but without any arrests made increased patrols are continuing in the area surrounding the alleyway.
A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Our Major Crime Team continues to carry out a full and thorough investigation since the incident was reported to us on Saturday 5 October.
“This includes door to door and CCTV enquiries.
“We have also increased patrols within the Pitsea area in response to the incident.”
Police were quick to state that this is a “rare occurrence” but urged anyone with information to come forward as a matter of urgency.
No description of the alleged attacker has been issued at this stage, but police are hoping a full decription of the victim could jog the memory of any passerby’s and potential witnesses.
She was wearing blue skinny fit torn jeans, a beige top with frills on the arms tucked into her jeans, along with a black cotton jacket with pockets and brown UGG boots. She was wearing her hair up, half up and down.
The victim was left “frightened” by what police described as a “traumatic ordeal”, and received support from specialist officers at Essex Police.
The spokesman for Essex Police added: “We’d like to speak to anyone who was in the area around this time and saw a woman matching this description or saw any suspicious or unusual behaviour.
“Anyone with information are asked to contact our Major Crime Team on 101 quoting crime reference 42/158679/19 or email scd.appeals.essex@essex.pnn.police.uk.
“Information can also be given completely anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111."
Information can also be given at crimestoppers-uk.org.
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