Man, 34, is arrested after woman 'raped in Asda car park'

A man has been arrested after a woman reported being raped in an Asda car park in a terrifying early hour ordeal.

Police were called after the alleged victim was assaulted at the bottom of a slope at the Eastgate Centre in Basildon, Essex, at around 4am on Sunday.

Last night, a 34-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of rape. He remains in custody.

Essex Police's Stewart Eastbrook, leading the investigation: 'We are aware of posts on social media reporting an incident earlier in the night where two women were followed.

'We are currently working to establish the details of that incident and the circumstances around it.'

DI Eastbrook added: 'We have acted quickly following this report and our specialist officers and partners continue to support the victim.

'I know this incident will worry you if you live or work in the area or if you regularly use that part of town.

'We continue our enquiries and would like to thank those who have contacted us so far with information.

'If you were in the area between 4am and 8am and you saw anything please contact my team.

'If you have a dash cam, please check it – you may have caught something on there which could be important to our investigation.'