A WOMAN was sexually assaulted in an "unprovoked attack" while walking home.

The attack by a man took place at about 2.45am on Saturday (November 19) when the 21-year old woman was walking along Church Road in Hove.

She was attacked by an unknown man who sexually assaulted her over her clothing in a struggle, during which the victim managed to fight him off and ran away along Church Road.

The offender is described as white, about 19 to 23, wearing dark trousers and a hooded top.

Detective Constable Tom Coll of the Brighton and Hove Safeguarding Investigations Unit said: "This was an unprovoked attack on a woman who was walking in what was still quite a busy area of Hove, even at that time of night.

"She was left very shocked and scared by what happened to her.

"At this time we believe this is an isolated incident and are not linking this to any other investigations.

"CCTV in the area shows quite a lot of people around at the time of the offence so I’m hoping someone will have seen what happened."

If you have any information, report it online at sussex.police.uk/contact-us/response-to-appeal, quoting serial 199 of November 19.

You can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.