Police are appealing for information after a woman was sexually assaulted in the Guildhall Square area of Portsmouth in the early hours of New Year’s Day.

It was reported to us that sometime between 3am and 4.20am on Saturday 1 January, an 18-year-old woman was sexually assaulted by a man unknown to her in the area of the Guildhall Square Cenotaph following a night out in the city centre.

The woman is being supported by specialist officers.

Police have been conducting a number of lines of enquiry as part of their investigation into this incident and now have this image of a man they would like to speak to, seen in the area at the time, in connection with this incident.

He is described as:

Approximately 20-years-old 5 foot 10 inches tall Brown, mid length hair Wearing a white Nike jumper and blue DSquared jeans.

Do you recognise him or know who he is? Were you in the area at the time and saw what happened, the moments leading up to it or the aftermath? Police believe a group of people assisted the victim after the incident, was this you?

Police believe there may have been a number of people in the area at the time following New Year’s Eve celebrations and would like to hear from anyone with information that may assist their enquiries into this investigation, no matter how small it may seem.

Police understand that incidents of this nature can be concerning, however we’d like to reassure our residents that a thorough investigation is underway and they believe this to be an isolated incident at this time.

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting 44220000434. Alternatively, go online and submit information via the following form: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/