Police are appealing for witnesses and information after a teenage girl was raped in Haywards Heath.
The victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, is receiving support from specially-trained officers.
She was walking through Clair Park in the late afternoon on 21 October, from the direction of Oathall Road, when she was approached in a wooded area by a man not known to her.
The man, described as being either black or of a mixed ethnic background, was wearing a black hooded top with a grey zip line and black jogging bottoms with cargo pockets.
Detective Chief Superintendent Karrie Bohanna said: “This was a highly distressing incident, and the victim is receiving support from our officers.
“We are pursuing several lines of enquiry, and since this report was received, officers have been carrying out high visibility patrols in the area.
“But we are appealing for witnesses or anyone in the area at the time who may have seen something suspicious to come forward.
“This also includes anyone with CCTV, doorbell, dashcam or mobile phone footage in the area at the time who has not already reported this to us.
“The victim described that it was still light outside. This incident happened at a time when lots of people may have been in the area, so we are urging people who may have information to come forward.”
Support for victims of rape and serious sexual assault is available online here.
More details about how Sussex Police investigates reports of rape and serious sexual assault are available online here.
Information can be reported to Sussex Police online or by calling 101 and quoting Operation Oakland.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on reporting a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.