A MAJOR investigation was underway last night after a teenage girl was abducted and sexually assaulted in an Essex resort.

James Hore

A MAJOR investigation was underway last night after a teenage girl was abducted and sexually assaulted in an Essex resort.

The girl was walking along Rush Green Road in Clacton when she was approached by a man on foot, assaulted and then bundled into a white car which had been parked nearby.

The youngster was abducted at about 8.15pm on Monday and after being forced into the car her attacker then drove to another, unidentified, location where he sexually assaulted her.

The car was later driven to Pump Hill in nearby St Osyth and at about 11.30pm she was set free and sought help from a nearby house.

A major investigation has now been launched and detectives were yesterday carrying out forensic examinations of the Rush Green Road and Pump Hill areas.

The victim, who lives locally, is being supported by specially-trained officers who have been trying to obtain a comprehensive account of her ordeal.

She was left traumatised by the incident and police have said she suffered minor injuries and did not require medical treatment.

An Essex Police spokesman said it was not known at this stage whether the victim had been raped.

The only description that has so far been made available is that the attacker was white, in his 50s, with grey, receding hair.

Detective Superintendent John Quinton, of Essex Police, who is leading the investigation, hopes to speak to members of the public who could have seen the girl after she was released.

He said: “This type of crime is extremely rare and I am hoping that the public will come forward with information that will help us solve it.

“I ask anyone who was in the area of Rush Green Road around 8.15pm on Monday evening or who was in Pump Hill around 11.30pm and may have seen the young woman, the man, or the car, to contact the police.

“The victim was very upset after being released and anyone who may have seen her would have noticed her distress.”

The exact location of the abduction in Rush Green Road was about 100 metres Jaywick side of the recycling point.

Anyone who has any information that could help police with the investigation is asked to call Essex Police's Major Investigation Team on 01206 762122, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.