DETECTIVES investigating the rape of an 18-year-old woman in Ipswich have stepped up the hunt for her attacker.Officers spoke to pedestrians and motorists yesterday in their search for clues which could help track down the man responsible.

DETECTIVES investigating the rape of an 18-year-old woman in Ipswich have stepped up the hunt for her attacker.

Officers spoke to pedestrians and motorists yesterday in their search for clues which could help track down the man responsible.

The checks were carried out exactly one week after the teenager was subjected to a terrifying attack at about 4pm on Monday March 15.

A man approached her in the driveway of a house in Sidegate Lane, grabbed her and forced her into the property, where she was raped.

About 10 officers were stationed in the area of Sidegate Lane in the town yesterday to ask people if they had information that could assist police with their investigation.

A police spokesman said: "About 460 people on foot and in their cars were spoken to in the vicinity of Sidegate Lane during the course of these checks, which were conducted between 3pm and 5pm.

"Police would like to thank members of the public for their co-operation during these checks and the information that has been gathered will now be looked at in more detail to see if it can help move the investigation forward."

Detectives have also been investigating the possibility that youngsters attending two nearby schools, Sidegate Primary School and Northgate High School, may have vital information about the attacker.

He is described as white, aged in his 40s, with short black and grey hair. He was wearing a black jumper with a round neck.