IPSWICH: Detectives are investigating a possible sex assault on a woman in an alleyway off Spring Road today.

IPSWICH: Detectives are investigating a possible sex assault on a woman off Spring Road today.

The female, who is believed to be in her early 20s, rang police around 1.25am to report an assault.

Although officers were not due to interview until later this morning, the original reports to police were that she may have been sexually assaulted.

The victim also sustained other injuries and paramedics were called to treat her at the scene.

It is believed she suffered back and neck injuries. A spokeswoman for the East of England Ambulance NHS Trust said the woman may have also sustained a fractured ankle.

After initial treatment she was taken by ambulance to Ipswich Hospital.

A police cordon was put up across the entrance to the alleyway, which is an unmade track leading to allotments, close to the Spring Road viaduct.

A woman, who lives near the scene, said there was a large amount of police activity, which included four police cars as well as a. ambulance.

“Shortly after 2am the whole street was swarming with police cars and police dogs and there was a member of the public talking to the police,” she said. “They all seemed to be looking at something on the pavement and they took the dog up the track and up the side of the house.

“It did look like he had perhaps found something. It did not seem to be urgent, more like something had happened a while ago and they were trying to get information on what had happened.”

The woman said the track leading up to the allotments is normally safe. “Lots of local residents park their cars up there and I have never had any problems.”

The area was sealed off and protected by police staff, until scenes of crime officers could begin their hunt for clues.

No one has been arrested as yet, however detectives are appealing for anyone who heard or saw anything unusual to contact them.

Kate Rutsch, a spokeswoman for Suffolk Police, confirmed an investigation was under way.

She said: “We have cordoned off an area in Ipswich this morning reports that a woman may have been sexually assaulted.

“The victim called the police at 1.25am after she found herself on a track between some houses just off Spring Road, with minor injuries.

“Officers are conducting an investigation to establish what has happened.”

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Ipswich CID on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.