A woman has been hurt in an alleged assault in Gillingham Park.

The victim, aged in her 20s, was walking through the green off Park Road when she was said to have been attacked at about 8pm yesterday.

Police sealed off part of the park and were still seen scouring the area three hours later.

One witness reported seeing police dogs, officers using torches and several patrol cars.

A police spokesman said: "Kent Police is investigating an allegation of assault on a woman aged in her 20s around 8pm last night. Enquiries are ongoing."

The alleged assault follows several reports of attacks on women in the Gillingham and Rainham area in recent months.

The first happened in the country park in Lower Rainham Road at 9am on August 12 when a woman was sexually assaulted as she walked along the riverbank.

She was inappropriately touched by a white man wearing a grey tracksuit, who was said to be aged 20 to 30, 5ft 8in and of normal build.

The next came when a woman in her 50s was walking near Motney Hill Road at about 8.30am on October 9.

She heard someone running behind her and as she stepped to one side, a man grabbed her. She fell to the ground, and the man left.

Two incidents were then reported around Woodlands Road on October 16.

At 8.52am police received a report from a woman who said a man was acting suspiciously.

Officers then received a call from another woman between 9.20am and 9.45am, who told them she had been approached by a man who was running.

He stopped and inappropriately touched her before running away.

The same day, at about 4.45pm, officers received a report of an assault at Riverside Country Park when a woman says she was hit and pushed by an unknown man.

Police said they were keeping an open mind about whether the spate of attacks were connected.

Last night's incident is not thought to be linked.

Stories you might have missed

Convicted wife killer to have case reviewed

Banksy site vandalised

Revealed: Celebrity to be burned at the stake

Four quizzed after officer hurt in police chase crash