Detectives are investigating whether a girl who was raped in a park had been stalked through the streets by her attacker.

Sussex Police’s inquiry into the attack in Dyke Road Park in Hove early on Tuesday morning is focusing on CCTV footage gathered from the 17-year-old’s route home from central Brighton.

No witnesses have yet come forward who saw the girl being grabbed outside the Booth Museum of Natural History and dragged across Dyke Road into the park at about 12.30am.

Last night officers in high-visibility uniforms were due to patrol the area to reassure the public and encourage possible witnesses to approach them.

They put up signs around the park giving details of the attack and urging people to come forward.

The suspect was olive-skinned, in his 30s, stocky, with short dark hair, close-shaven facial hair and sideburns. He spoke with a European accent.

Detectives maintain there are no “formal links” between the crime and any other attacks.

Anyone with information is asked to call Sussex Police on 0845 6070999, quoting Operation Dublin, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.