Police investigating a sex attack on New Year’s Day have arrested a man.
Sussex Police said: “Detectives investigating a report of a woman being sexual assaulted in a vehicle in Bognor have arrested a man.
“The 26-year-old was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and remains in custody.
“The victim, a woman in her thirties who cannot be identified for legal reasons, had been in the town centre on the evening of Thursday 1 January when she entered a vehicle near the Tesco Express store in Station Road.
“The vehicle, believed to have been dark coloured, stopped in a layby off the A259 near the junction with Marsh Lane where the driver then sexually assaulted the victim.
“The victim was able to run to safety before reporting the matter to police. She is now receiving support from specially trained officers.
“The assault is believed to have happened between 11.30pm on Thursday 1 January and 1am on Friday 2 January.
“Officers are still keen to trace anyone who may have been in the Station Road area near Tesco or anyone who may have witnessed the vehicle as it left Bognor and approached the bus stop off the A259.
“They would particularly like to speak with anyone who may have captured dashcam or doorbell camera footage from these areas around the relevant times.”
Detective Inspector Rebecca Hopkins said: “This was a highly distressing incident for the victim and we are ensuring she has appropriate support in place as our investigation progresses.
“We have made an arrest and our inquiries are ongoing. We still want to hear from witnesses or from anyone with information which could help our investigation.”
Sussex Police said: “Information can be reported to Sussex Police online or by phoning 101, quoting Operation Cardington.”
