Appeal for information after sexual assault in Bognor Regis

The three men approached the woman in Chichester Road, close to the junction of Hawthorn Road.

They struck up conversation with her before assaulting her behind the bus shelter.

Two of them told her they were from eastern Europe, the third said he was Turkish.

After the attack the woman flagged down a motorist at around 3.48am who told the driver she had been assaulted.

Police are carrying out house-to-house enquiries in the area and asking people if they were around between 2.30am and 3.50am. They are being asked whether they saw or heard anything in the area and whether they have found any discarded property neae their home or any other information.

Two of the attackers are described as in their early 20s, about 5' 6" to 5' 8", one of slim build and one medium.

The third man is described as being 6' 2" to 6' 3", of slim build and with distinctive pointed features.

All of the men were wearing casual clothing.

The investigation is being led by Detective Chief Inspector Adam Hibbert of the Major Crime Branch. Arun police are also working closely with the Arun Expanded Communities Team.

Arun's district policing commander, Chief Inspector Jim Bartlett said: "This was a nasty and unpleasant attack on a young woman on her way home after an evening out.

" I do not wish to raise alarm, as the nature of the incident is unusual in the area, but I would ask everyone to consider their personal safety at all times and especially when there are fewer people around later at night."

Team leader from the Expanding Communities Team Katrina Middleton, who is herself Polish, said: "All of the community has been shocked and appalled by this.

"We are working with partners and key members of the community to assist this investigation in any way possible."

The Expanding Communities Project is a multiagency initiative set up to assist migrant workers and cohesion within the local community.

Further information can be obtained online at http://www.arun.gov.uk/cgi-bin/buildpage.pl?mysql=4831

Witnesses or anyone with information should call 0845 60 70 999 quoting Operation Keele or ring the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.