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REASSURANCES have been offered to women in Haverhill about their safety following a rape on Sunday night close to the victim's doorstep.

A team of 12 officers has been brought in to investigate the violent attack on a 41-year-old woman as she took out the rubbish at the front of her home on the Clements estate.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Marshall, who is leading the investigation, said the woman had at first been too traumatised to give full details about the incident. He urged anyone who saw anything suspicious on the estate on Sunday night between 10.30pm and midnight to come forward.

Officers are especially keen to talk to a group of people heard talking in the area before and after the attack. Although not linked to the attack, police believe they may have valuable information.

DCI Marshall confirmed that police had not caught the man who attempted to rape a staff member at a Haverhill school in May, but said there was no reason at this stage to connect the two incidents, although they were keeping an open mind.

"This was a very violent, shocking attack on a woman just feet from the door to her home. The victim has been left deeply traumatised and we are appealing for the public's help in finding her rapist".

"Clearly people out there will be concerned as a result of this, but as long as people take reasonable precautions there is no reason to be overly concerned this stage."

"Haverhill is a very safe town and these incidents are extremely rare. When they do happen they are a serious concern and we will be stepping up our patrols in the area of this incident", DCI Marshall said.

The victim had been putting out rubbish, but when she turned to go back inside her house she was grabbed from behind, forced to the floor and then raped. She cried out for help, alerting her husband, who had already gone to bed. The rapist then fled.

Because of the wet weather and that it was late on a Sunday night, police believe not many people would have been out on the estate, so that anyone acting suspiciously would probably have been noticed.

Police say the rapist is believed to be white and was wearing a dark, long sleeved top at the time of the attack.

Anyone with information should ring the special new incident number on (01284) 774154 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.