POLICE are set to flood a popular park tonight after a sexual assault and an attemped sexual assault were reported within 30 minutes. 

Officers investigating a sexual assault will be carrying out further enquiries in the Mopsies Park area in Basildon tonight.

An 18-year-old woman was assaulted by a man at about 6.55pm last Wednesday.

Officers attended the scene and while they were carrying out enquiries, a 20-year-old woman reported she was jogging just outside the park entrance at about 6.35pm when a man tried to grab her but failed.

Both women described him to be a white man, possibly aged in his 30s, with a full, light coloured beard.

An Essex Police spokesman said: "We are treating both incidents as linked and have had extra patrols in and around the park.

"We are progressing our investigation and will be in the area tonight to speak to residents and park users to carry out further enquiries."

Anyone with information or drivers who have dash cam footage, are asked to submit information to Essex Police here. 

Information can also be given to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or https://crimestoppers-uk.org