POLICE have revealed an attack on a woman in a Southend park is being investigated as an attempted rape.

A sexual assault and robbery took place in Southchurch Hall park on Thursday, May 29, but officers have only now revealed the extent of the attack.

Officers sealed off the park throughout the next day while they carried out investigations.

The park museum was closed by police all weekend.

It is understood a sum of cash was taken from the victim, a 23- year-old woman from Southend.

Specialist officers from the Rayleigh sexual offences investigation team are speaking to the victim to esablish exactly what happened.

Inquiries are continuing into the attack and police have appealed for residents to come forward with information. An Essex Police spokesman said: “Police are continuing to investigate a reported robbery and sexual assault of a woman in Southchurch Hall Park in Southend.

“Officers were contacted about the incident shortly after 11.15pm on Thursday, May 29.

“The 23-year-old victim has alleged it was an attempted rape and that she was robbed of cash.

“Specialist officers are continuing with their inquiries into what happened.”

The incident has sparked calls for an alcohol-free zone in the park, with Kursaal ward borough councillor Judith McMahon claiming the area is “hellish” for residents suffering drunken antisocial behaviour.

Anyone with informatioon about the incident can call Essex Police on 101, quoting incident number 1215 of May 29, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.