POLICE are investigating a sex assault outside a takeaway in Westcliff.

A cordon was put up around the Pizza Hut Express in London Road at its junction with Ceylon Road, yesterday morning.

It stretched around the front of the building to the corner of the shop next door and also encompassed the alleyway behind the shop leading off Ceylon Road.

Scenes of crime and speciallytrained officers were at the scene yesterday speaking with local residents.

CCTV cameras are dotted along the parade of shops and include one directly outside the door of the Pizza Hut Express store.

Police will look at the CCTV, although it is not clear exactly where the attack took place.

Shopkeepers along London Road say they were closed at the time of the incident, which took place in the early hours of yesterday morning.

A resident, who lives nearby, said: “I didn’t hear anything.

"Once I am asleep, I’m asleep. The first I knew about it was when I woke up this morning and saw the police there.”

Officers say they are waiting to interview the woman who was assaulted.

Anyone with information is asked to call the investigation team on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.