A GIRL has reported being sexually assaulted as she walked home from the beach.

She was walking through an alleyway near the Park Street bus stop, believed to be the one linking Eastern Road with Hereford Street, Brighton, in the early hours of Saturday, May 29.

The 15-year-old was approached by a man who then “violently attacked” and “sexually assaulted her before making off”.

Police say the suspect is white, or of mixed race, quite tall and may have dark hair.

He is said to have been wearing a hood, trousers or tracksuit bottoms - not jeans - and black shoes.

The victim has been receiving support from specially trained officers, who have been working with her to help establish the circumstances.

Police enquiries have also included checks at addresses in the area.

Detective Constable Tony Gander said: "After the attack the victim managed to link up with her friends again and they observed several members of the public around the scene, who may have seen the assault or the offender, without realising what was happening.

"If you were in the area at that time, and remember seeing or hearing anything at all, please contact us either online or by calling 101, quoting serial 1009 of 31/05.

"We have had no similar reports recently and this is an isolated incident for the area."