WOMEN have been warned not to go out alone after a spate of sex assaults in a Basildon park.

Two women reported incidents in Mopsies Park within 30 minutes of each other.

Officers flooded the park on Wednesday night, a week after the two incidents, to speak to people who regularly use the park.

An 18-year-old woman was sexually assaulted by a man at about 6.55pm on Wednesday, November 26.

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.

Now council bosses have urged women not to go to park alone.

Kerry Smith, Independent deputy leader at Basildon Council, said: “If people are worried they should go out in pairs as there’s less chance they will be attacked.

“The council also offers free personal alarms too and anyone who is worried should call their councillor to get an alarm.

“It is a concern to see this rise of cases and it takes lots of courage to speak with police about alleged sexual attacks.”

Phil Turner, former Tory council leader, added: “People should be vigilant and not take risks and not go out alone.

“People must also take precautions and I would hate it if people felt we have a lockdown due to sex pests going about.

“I hope we see the police come down on these people with the full force of the law.”

Police say they are doing all they can to increase presence and awareness.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “We are treating both incidents [near Mopsies Park] as linked and have had extra patrols in and around the park.

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

One woman was attacked in the town centre while three women were touched or attacked near the park.

Anyone with information should contact charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or https://crimestoppers-uk.org or police on 101.