A woman was raped in an alleyway in Tilbury in what a police detective has described as a "horrible attack".

Essex Police has been investigating this incident since it happened almost seven months but have had no luck in finding the culprit.

In a desperate attempt to find the man that committed this crime, they are now issuing CCTV images take from Tilbury Food and Wine in Dock Road on the same night.

The victim was approached by a man in an alleyway adjacent to Tilbury Taxis at around 11pm on Saturday, September 9.

The man forced her to a green area near to Church Road where he attacked her.

Police do not believe the victim knows her attacker.

Detective Sergeant Rebecca Martin said: “This was a horrible attack in what is a busy part of Tilbury.

“It’s really important we identify and speak to the man pictured and find out what he knows.

“Someone WILL recognise him, someone WILL have spoken to him, and someone WILL have seen him.

“If that person is you, I need to you contact us.

“We have made extensive enquiries into this attack and followed a number of lines of enquiry to identify this man.

“We have exhausted those lines of enquiry which is why we’re now asking the public their help.

“I want to reassure the public that these types of attacks are very rare and we do not believe there is a risk to the wider public.”

The victim has been safeguarded and specialist officers are continuing to support her.

If you recognise the man or have any other information about the incident please contact the Adult Sexual Assault Investigation Team at Grays police station on 101.

Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.