Women have been warned not to walk alone at night after a second attempted rape in one area within a week.

The latest victim was punched in the face and thrown into bushes not far from the scene of the first assault.

The 27-year-old woman was drinking with friends in the Burrell Arms, close to Shoreham station, on Saturday.

She left at 10.30pm and walked along Gordon Road towards Eastern Avenue.

The woman told police she heard footsteps and was then grabbed from behind by a "strong" man.

He punched her in the face and threw her into bushes, where he tore at her clothes.

She was indecently assaulted and it is believed an unsuccessful attempt was made to rape her.

The victim struggled free, ran off and raised the alarm a short time later.

Police searched the area but were unable to find any trace of the attacker.

The incident came a week after another woman was attacked nearby.

In that incident, the victim was walking home alone at 2.30am after a night out in Brighton.

She was attacked on an area of grass next to Adur Civic Centre in Brighton Road, Shoreham, known locally as The Ham.

Sergeant Ian Cooke said: "At the moment, the two attacks are being treated as separate incidents.

"But we would warn women not to walk alone in the area late at night."

Police are also investigating the attempted abduction of a 14-year-old girl as she walked to a youth centre less than a mile away.

The Argus reported last week that a man in a white Peugeot 205 with a red stripe down the side grabbed her by the arm and tried to pull her into the car in Kingston Lane, Shoreham.

The girl managed to break free and run to Kings Manor Community College.

Sgt Cook appealed for anyone with information to phone Shoreham police on 0845 6070999.