POLICE are hunting a sex attacker who led a young woman into a car park in Bournemouth last night before raping her.

The 18-year-old victim was waiting at the bus stop outside the Texaco garage on Holdenhurst Road at around 11.10pm when she was approached by a man.

He then led the woman into nearby St Swithuns Road to a car park where she was raped.

The attacker is described as white, around 30 years old, five feet six inches tall and with short brown hair. He was wearing a red coat with white stripes down the arms and dark jeans. He spoke broken English with a non-British accent.

The victim and offender are not known to each other.

Detective Constable Ross Graham, of Bournemouth CID, said: "This was a traumatic attack for the victim who is being supported by specially trained officers.

"I am keen to hear from anybody who was in the area at the relevant times who saw or heard something suspicious. I would also urge anyone who recognises the description of the suspect to come forward.

"I would like to reassure the public that incidents of this serious nature are very rare in Dorset."

A member of staff from the Texaco garage said that they were not aware of an incident in the area on Thursday night and confirmed that the fuel station is open 24 hours a day.

Councillor David Kelsey, ward councillor for East Cliff and Springbourne, said: "We have to stop these sick people. People here have the right to walk around the streets as they wish. Everyone has the right to go out at night and feel safe."

He said that the ward councillors do a lot of work in the area with the help residents, such as improvements Knyveton Gardens and ongoing work with police officers.

"I cannot put this strongly enough. It doesn't matter what age or gender you are, you should be able to walk along the street and feel safe at whatever time it is."

No arrests have been made in relation to the incident.

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101, quoting incident number 11:442. Alternatively, call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.