ESSEX Police are investigating reports of a serious assault in Harlow.

The victim, a woman aged in her 20s, was walking through Passmores Fields, off Willowfield, shortly before 10pm on Friday June 24, when she was assaulted by an unknown man.

The suspect is described as white, of stocky build, and about 6ft tall. He was described as having a chubby face, bushy eyebrows and a straight nose, with stubble. He wore a dark hooded top with the hood up.

Detective Inspector Richard Sage said: “I am appealing to anyone who may have seen anything suspicious or who noticed a man hanging around the area before or after the time of the assault to contact us.

“I am particularly keen to trace two teenage girls who came to the victim’s aid.

“One was riding a bicycle and had short brown hair, the other was on foot and had long dark hair.”

Anyone with information can contact 101 or can also give information to the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via an anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org