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A woman has suffered a "serious and sustained" sexual assault after being dragged into a car park by two strangers.

The woman was walking along Rope Walk away from Ipswich town centre between 3am and 3.45am yesterday when the attack occurred, police said.

While crossing Grimwade Street, she was approached from behind and grabbed by two unknown men and her mouth covered.

The victim was forced into a car park area nearby, where she was subject to a sustained serious sexual assault, believed to have lasted several minutes.

(Image: PA Archive)

She was left unconscious and suffered significant injuries to her face and neck that required hospital treatment.

Suffolk Police said trained specialist officers and police staff continued to work with the victim while extensive enquiries were ongoing in the local area in a bid to identify those responsible.

Detective Superintendent Eamonn Bridger said: "This is a despicable, sustained sexual attack by two unknown individuals on an innocent young woman, who has been left traumatised and with significant injuries as a result of the actions of the men involved."

Police are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed or heard this attack, or who may have seen two men acting suspiciously in, or walking towards, the Rope Walk area around the time to get in touch as a matter of urgency.

Police have asked anyone who was out in the area of Rope Walk or nearby streets at the time of the attack to come forward.

This is so they can be eliminated from their enquiries.

They also want to speak to anyone with dash cam footage who may have been driving in the area at the time of the offence.

Anyone with any information, or who may have been in the area at the time is asked to contact Suffolk Police on 101 quoting crime number 19555/17, or alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.