DETECTIVES were last night continuing to question a man on suspicion of raping a woman in an Essex town centre in an early morning attack.

James Hore

DETECTIVES were last night continuing to question a man on suspicion of raping a woman in an Essex town centre in an early morning attack.

A woman in her mid 20s phoned police to say she had been sexually assaulted at about 4.30am shortly after getting out of a taxi she had shared with her alleged attacker.

The pair got out of the cab on East Hill, near to its junction with Roman Road, and the offence is alleged to have taken place close by.

A 30-year-old man was arrested shortly afterwards on the High Street, where it joins East Hill, and was taken into custody at Colchester police station where he remained last night.

A team from Essex Police's scientific support unit was yesterday carrying out forensic examinations whilst specialist officers were counselling the woman.

Although an arrest has been made detectives have said they are still keen to speak to witnesses who either saw the alleged incident or the man and woman at any point during the evening.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “People we would like to speak to are either going to be early risers or those making their way home who may have seen something at any stage.

“Detectives are asking anyone who was in the area at the time and may have seen a tall, black man and a petite, white woman to contact them.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police at Colchester on 0300 333 4444, or can give details anonymously to on Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The suspect remained in custody at Colchester police station last night.

james.hore@eadt.co.uk