POLICE have ended an investigation into a reported sexual assault near The Rye after the allegation was withdrawn.

The incident was reported to have happened just south of the dyke at about 5pm on Thursday, but Det Sgt Richard Earl said: “In this case, the allegation was fully withdrawn and further enquiries led to the conclusion that a sexual assault did not take place.

“However, we would like to reassure the public that we always take any allegation of this nature extremely seriously and will always thoroughly investigate such a report.

“If anyone has been subject to such an assault then we would ask for them to contact us as a matter of urgency.”