DETECTIVES are hunting a man who sexually assaulted a teeange girl walking home alone in the early hours of the morning.

The incident happened as the 18-year-old victim passed underneath a railway bridge at Newtown Road at Ashford on Sunday between 3am and 3.30am.

She was suddenly approached from behind by a man who grabbed her wrists and then sexually assaulted her.

He ran off when her mobile phone rang. The teenager, from the Willesborough area of Ashford, alerted a friend who called the police.

Det Sgt Andy Chapman said: “We are keen to speak to anyone who may have been in the vicinity of the Designer Outlet, the International Station and Newtown Road during the time frame of this incident and may have seen the woman or a man walking along the footpath.”

“This appears to have been a opportunist assault, and highlights the dangers of women walking alone at night. I strongly urge all women to walk home with a companion or in a group. There is safety in numbers.”

Anyone with information regarding assault is asked to contact DS Chapman at Ashford Police Station on 01233 896283. Alternatively call Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555111. Calls to Crimestoppers are free, you do not have to give your name and you may be eligible for a reward.