Detectives today widened their hunt for a man who raped a woman in Telford.

Police believe it is possible the man who struck as the victim made her way towards Randlay from Stafford Park could live out of the town.

Detective Inspector Steve Tonks, of Telford CID, said he was now stepping up the hunt for the offender.

The fresh appeal for witnesses came after a 32-year-old man was released without charge yesterday.

The assault happened at about 5pm on August 11 as the woman in her 20s walked along the path between the A442 Eastern Primary and the railway line. She was just about to cross the red and white pedestrian footbridge over the Eastern Primary when an unknown man walked past her.

Assistance

Police believe the man then turned and grabbed the victim and pulled her into a wooded area close to the railway line.

Mr Tonks said today: “We have had a team of officers dedicated to this case from the moment the attack was reported to us.

“We have had excellent assistance from the public as a result of our appeals but I’d now like to extend the boundaries of our search for the offender. Although the offender may well be a local man, it is possible that he comes from outside the borough of Telford & Wrekin.

“A number of officers from the investigating team will continue to concentrate on more local inquiries and with that in mind we will be carrying out letter drops in Randlay, Hollinswood and Stirchley over the bank holiday weekend.”

An artist’s impression of the rapist, who had a pock-marked face, will be displayed around Telford. Anyone with information should call 0300 3333000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.