A Newham man has been arrested following a report of a serious sexual assault in Harwich. 

Essex Police was called by a member of the public around 6.10am this morning (January 8) due to concerns for the welfare of a woman in the Essex town. 

Officers from the local policing team soon attended the scene, and were able to identify a person of interest, a 32-year-old man, and arrest them within an hour.

A police spokesperson said the man is now being questioned on suspicion of a serious sexual assault. 

Det Ch Insp Dan Morrissey, of Essex Police’s public protection unit, said: “Officers in Harwich responded incredibly quickly to this call and that has meant we were very quickly able to identify someone we would like to speak to. 

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“And thanks to that work, we were able to make a quick arrest. 

“The victim is now being supported by specialist officers and our investigation is continuing at pace.” 

DCI Morrissey added: “For us, the safety of women and girls in Essex is paramount and we will always respond quickly and seek to bring perpetrators of crimes against women and girls to justice.”