A POLICE appeal has been launched asking people to come forward with information, after a young woman was the victim of an alleged serious sexual assault in Hitchin on Monday evening.

The woman, in her early 20s, was walking through Windmill Hill from the town centre in the direction of Hitchin Girls School, when she was believed to have been subjected to the serious sexual assault.

She was wearing a red dress, white cardigan and white plimsolls with white ankle socks.

Detective Inspector Steve Keating from the Sexual Offences Investigation Team said: “The victim of the incident is being given support at this time.

“Incidents such as these are incredibly uncommon in Hitchin and we have a team of specialist officers carrying out enquiries.

“We are looking to trace any witnesses to this assault and I would ask people who were in the area that evening and believed they saw or heard anything to contact police.

“Did you see anyone hanging around the park acting suspiciously that evening? Any information, however insignificant you think it might be, could prove vital for the investigation.”

Anyone who thinks they can help is asked to call police via the non-emergency number 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.