A 23-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of rape in Colchester.
Essex Police closed off a section of Berechurch Road after receiving reports of a serious sexual assault on Tuesday evening.
The force stated a woman said she had been assaulted between 6.20pm and 11pm that night.
She is now being supported by specialist officers while staff and detectives from the police’s Adult Sexual Assault Investigation Team are investigating.
A 23-year-old man has since been arrested on suspicion of rape and remains in police custody.
Colchester’s district commander Rob Huddleston has now reassured residents he doesn’t believe the wider community is at risk.
He said: “I know this incident will cause concern in the local community and I understand why.
“Specialist detectives and forensics experts have been carrying out inquiries at the scene and around the area to identify any possible witnesses or CCTV available.
“At this stage we believe the people involved were known to each other and we don’t believe members of the wider community are at risk.
“I have ensured there will be extra visible patrols in the area to provide reassurance so if you have any information or concerns about what happened then please stop them and speak to them.”
Essex Police has now appealed for anyone who saw anything on Tuesday evening to come forward, as well as anyone who may have any CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage from the time.
A statement read: “We received a report on Tuesday where a woman said she had been assaulted in the Berechurch Road area between 6.20pm and 11pm that night.”
Officers, who have been stationed at the scene since the early hours of Wednesday morning, remain at the site today as the investigation continues.
If you have any information you can submit a report online at www.essex.police.uk or use the live chat button to speak to an online operator between 7am and 11pm.
You can also call the police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
In any report, you should quote the crime reference number 42/158972/22.
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