DETECTIVES are investigating after a woman in her 20s was raped as she walked alone near Poole Hospital .

Police sealed off the front of a property yesterday after the woman from Poole was subjected to a “nasty unprovoked attack” by a six-foot man as she walked along Longfleet Road around 2am on Monday morning.

Officers cordoned off the garden, driveway and pavement outside the property and large plastic screens were used to mask the area from the street.

White-suited forensics officers wearing masks and gloves could be seen taking photographs outside the building, which is next door to Poole Hospital’s multi-storey car park.

A white tent had been erected and numbered markers, used by police in evidence gathering, were dotted along the driveway.

Uniformed officers carried out door-to-door inquiries around 7.30am and residents were asked if they had heard anything unusual between 2am and 2.30am. One man, who lives opposite, said he had heard what he thought was a woman screaming.

Shortly before 11am uniformed officers removed what looked like clothing from the scene sealed in a plastic bag.

Detective Inspector Steve Thorpe, of Bournemouth and Poole CID, said: “This is a nasty unprovoked attack on a woman walking on her own along Longfleet Road. I am very keen to find the offender as soon as possible and I urge anyone with information to come forward and speak to us in confidence.”

The victim describes her attacker as white, around six feet tall, with short fair hair.

He was wearing a dark coloured hooded top or coat.

DI Steve Thorpe continued: “I would like to stress that attacks of this nature are not common in the Poole area. I would also like to remind residents and visitors – as we do throughout the year – to be conscious of their own personal safety.

“It is essential that everyone takes a common sense approach and trusts their instincts – if you don’t feel comfortable in a particular area, then take another route.”

He urged people to take measures to stay safe including walking with friends, carrying a mobile phone and letting people know where they are. He said people could speak with the safer neighbourhood team officers and access websites such as the Dorset Police homepage and the Suzy Lamplugh site for more information.

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101 quoting incident number 20:34 or call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.