POLICE are keen to trace a taxi driver who stopped to check on a woman who had been assaulted.

Officers were called to London Road in Billericay shortly before 4.50am on Saturday February 22 following reports of the assault.

Following enquiries at the scene a 46-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault, theft and criminal damage.

He was taken to Basildon police station for interview before being released on bail pending further enquiries.

However the victim has told police a taxi driver stopped to check on her after the attack and officers would like to speak to him about the incident.

PC Simon Kirk, from Basildon Police Station, said: "The victim has told us that a taxi driver stopped to check on her welfare. I believe this taxi driver witnessed the assault and I am very keen to speak to him. The taxi was thought to be a six to eight seater and was black or dark coloured. Unfortunately I don’t have the company name but the driver was white with a bald head and was wearing glasses.

"If any taxi driver was driving along either Mountnessing Road or London Road in Billericay at the relevant time and saw any part of this incident then I would ask them to contact me at Basildon Police Station on 101.”