A woman was sexually assaulted moments after she left a party.

The 36-year-old had enjoyed a night out at a house in central Brighton when she left at around 7.30am on Sunday.

Her attacker struck as she walked along Temple Street, close to the junction of Montpelier Place, and made a grab for her but she fought him off.

Police believe a number of people could have seen him before he struck.

Yesterday lead officer in the case, Detective Inspector Jason Tingley, said he believed the attack was random but was looking at whether the attack had links to others in the area including two attempted rapes just a few miles away in Kemp Town.

DI Tingley said: “We are in the process of speaking to the victim.

“She is fine – she is coping well.

“She was attacked at about 7.30am in the morning when people should be able to walk around safely.”

Earlier this year Sussex Police launched Operation Plymouth following two attempted rapes in the area.

A 26-year-old woman was dragged to the ground and attacked in Park Street at 3am on June 22. Police linked this to a similar attack on another woman at 3.15am on June 26 near recycling bins in Upper Rock Gardens.

Meanwhile a woman reported being sexually assaulted in nearby Brunswick Square, Hove, in May this year.

The attacker in the latest incident is described as being of mixed race, skinny, in his late 20s, with short black hair, and wearing a dark jacket and blue jeans.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070999.