An 18-year-old woman was dragged into a car park and raped in Ipswich town centre overnight, police have said.

Ipswich Star: Police officers are parked up in Silent Street, Ipswich Picture: ARCHANTPolice officers are parked up in Silent Street, Ipswich Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Police are appealing for witnesses to the attack, which happened at around 3am today and was reported to officers shortly before 4.30am.

The victim, an 18-year-old woman, was walking through Silent Street when she was grabbed from behind and dragged into a car park and raped by an unknown man.

Ipswich Star: A forensic van is parked up in Silent Street, Ipswich Picture: ARCHANTA forensic van is parked up in Silent Street, Ipswich Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

She is being supported by specially trained officers, a police spokeswoman said, and a cordon is in place while police investigate what happened.

Forensic vans and police cars are parked up in Silent Street with officers guarding the scene.

The male suspect is described as black, with black curly hair.

Anyone with information about the attack should call the South CID quoting crime reference 37/42560/19 of today.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or fill in their online form.