DETECTIVES say a 17-year-old girl was subjected to a "terrifying ordeal" when a stranger raped her inside a home. 

The teenager was attacked by a man in a house off Godmans Lane, in Marks Tey, between 4pm and 4.30pm on Monday.

He is described as white with pale skin, about 5ft 8in tall, aged in his mid to late 20s, and of medium build with blond hair.

He wore a grey t-shirt with one green stripe on the bottom of each sleeve, dark blue jeans and had a tribal tattoo on his right upper arm.

Since the girl's report, detectives say they have carried out extensive door-to-door enquiries in the village.

DCI Stuart Smith of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, who is leading the investigation, said: “The suspect was not known to the victim.

"She was subjected to a terrifying ordeal and I would like to appeal to anyone who was in the area in and around Godmans Lane between 3pm and 5pm on Monday and who saw a man matching the description or anyone acting suspiciously to call us.

“I would like to reiterate that this type of crime is extremely rare.

"However I would like people to remain vigilant and report anything which looks out of place to the police on 101.

"Someone out there knows who this man is and I am appealing to them to come forward and tell us what you know.

“Local visible patrols have been increased to reassure the community but also to gather information which may be beneficial to the ongoing enquiry.”

Police are also appealing for anyone who lives in the area and who has CCTV cameras to get in touch. 

Officers also say the area is popular with dog walkers. 

Anyone with information on the attack should contact detectives at the Stanway Major Crime Team on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.