A WOMAN today claimed she was raped after getting into what she thought was a cab following a night out in Ipswich. The 22-year-old was found in Blanche Street, Ipswich in the early hours of today and claimed that three men had been involved in the attack.

A WOMAN today claimed she was raped after getting into what she thought was a cab following a night out in Ipswich.

The 22-year-old was found in Blanche Street, Ipswich in the early hours of today and claimed that three men had been involved in the attack.

Police are now appealing for witnesses to the assault, which happened after the woman decided to leave friends she was with and get something to eat.

However they are not linking the attack to another sexual assault which took place in the Regent car park last month.

In last night's incident the victim, from Ipswich, left on her own at around 12.15am.

She then got into what she believed was a cab. Once inside she found two men already in the car and a third man then got in as well.

The woman said she was raped by one of the men while in the car and was found a time later by a member of the public at the top of Blanche Street, just off Woodbridge Road.

The member of the public took the woman into her home and called the police at around 12.35am.

Forensic specialists were still taking samples at the scene which has now been cordoned off and Blanche Street was completely closed to traffic.

The woman is today being looked after by specially trained officers.

Residents were unaware of what had happened the night before and many woke to find the area taped off and police officers monitoring the scene.

Neighbours today reacted with horror to the news.

Jason Jordan, 32, said: "I'm shocked and I can't believe it. You get a lot of people walking up here when they come back from town and it is dark along the street, but it is a quiet area."

Another resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "I can't believe it. It is not far from where an old lady was sexually assaulted in Cobbold Street and there was another rape near Major's Corner recently."

A member of staff at the nearby Mace store said: "It is very scary that it has happened so close to our doorstep, particularly with the other incident that happened near the Odeon cinema."

Police would like to hear from anyone in the area who noticed a woman getting out of a car with three men inside.

If you have any information, please call Ipswich CID on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.