Police investigating a rape in Ipswich town centre last weekend have released CCTV images of two men they want to speak to in connection to the incident.

A woman in her late 20s was attacked and raped near the town centre in the early hours of Saturday. Police have described the assault as “despicable” and said the woman has been left “traumatised” with “significant injuries”.

Suffolk Constabulary said the woman was walking along Rope Walk away from the town centre between 3.10am and 3.30am on Saturday. While crossing Grimwade Street, she was approached from behind and grabbed by two unknown men, and her mouth was covered.

The woman was forced into a car park area nearby, where she was physically assaulted and raped. The attack was believed to have lasted several minutes before the offenders made off on foot.

The woman was left unconscious and suffered significant injuries to her face and neck that required hospital treatment.

Detective Superintendent Eamonn Bridger said the woman had been followed “for some distance” from the town centre, but stressed such incidents were “very rare”.

“This was a despicable, sustained sexual attack by two unknown individuals on an innocent young woman, who has been left traumatised and with significant injuries as a result of their actions,” he said.

“We have visited over 200 residential and business premises speaking to potential witnesses and are working through CCTV.

“We are totally committed to identifying these men and bringing them to justice. We have released images of those who we urgently need to speak to in relation to the offence.

“These men are still out there which is why it is so important for people to take the time to look at the images.

“I am confident that if people who know them view the images they will be able to put names to those faces.”

Of the victim’s condition he added: “The victim is making good progress, she has been incredibly brave.

“She has been working with our officers and has a good support network around her. We will continue to work with her through this difficult time.”

Officers are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have private CCTV or dash cam footage of the area from around the time of the attack. If you can help call 101, visit the Crimestoppers website or call 0800 555111.

Police would like to speak to the two men pictured in connection with this incident and are appealing for them, or anyone with information about them, to contact Suffolk Police on 101.

Officers are also appealing to anyone who may have witnessed or heard this attack, or who may have seen two men acting suspiciously in, or walking towards, the Rope Walk area of town between 3.10am and 3.30am in the early hours of Saturday morning to get in touch as a matter of urgency.

Police would also ask that anyone who was out in the area of Rope Walk or nearby streets at the time of the attack to come forward, so that they can be questioned about what they saw or eliminated from our enquiries, including anyone with dash cam footage who may have been driving in the area at the time of the offence.

Officers are also keen to talk to anybody who may have seen the two men Friday evening/early Saturday morning around Ipswich. This could include taxi drivers, pub/club workers, food outlet employees or members of the public.

Anyone with any information, or who may have been in the area at the time is asked to call Suffolk Constabulary on 101 quoting CAD number 172 of today, Tuesday February 28. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.