Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman found distressed in a Portslade street reported she had been raped. 

People living in Drove Crescent heard the woman crying in the early hours of the morning, and tended to her while they called for an ambulance. 

After she was taken to hospital, she told medics she had been raped. 

The woman was found at about 3.15am on December 5. Police today launched a witness appeal for taxi drivers who may have seen her in the area between 2.45am and 3.15am. 

DC Aran Boyt said: "We have made extensive inquries and are now appealing to taxi drivers to contact us if they were in the area between 2.45am and 3.15am and saw a woman in distress at that location.

"If anyone saw a woman in distress they should contact police on 101, email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 quoting Operation Longford.