A SECOND young woman has been the victim of a serious sexual assault in the Dane Park area of Margate. The 16-year-old stopped a police patrol shortly after midnight on Saturday and told officers she had been attacked while walking through the park near the exit to Wilderness Hill.

Detective Insp Jon Holl said: “Clearly the public will be concerned that this is the second attack in the area in a week. Following the first attack on Saturday, December 1, on a 16-year-old girl outside the park, a man has been charged and remanded in custody.

"Investigations on the latest assault are continuing and we have set up an incident room at Margate police station."

An area around the park was cordoned off and officers were drafted in from Canterbury and south east Kent for the second weekend running to help with the inquiry. A forensic investigation team and the mobile major incident from police headquarters was also brought in during the weekend.

The victim, who was taken to the Queen Mother Hospital at Margate for examination, is helping with the inquiry. She told police her attacker was a man in his 40s. Det Insp Holl added: “We have spoken to several people who were in Dane Park at the time and none of them are suspects.”

Police have met with local councillors and are keen allay peoples’ fears about using the park. Det Insp Holl stressed: "Ward councillors are being very supportive. Through the years there have been a number of serious attacks in Dane Park and everything is being done to improve public safety.

“Our crime reduction unit met with the council a year ago and a plan for improved lighting and the removal of some bushes and hedges that border the roads around the park was agreed but to date nothing has been done.”

Anyone with information about the latest attack should telephone the incident room on 01843 222004 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.