POLICE are investigating after a teenage woman was sexually assaulted while on a night out in Southampton.

The attack took place in the Bedford Place area of the city in the early hours of Tuesday last week (dec 17) although details have only just been released because it was not reported for three days.

The victim was an 18-year-old woman who had been on a night out when she met the man, who is also said to have stolen her handbag.

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: "We can confirm an investigation is underway after an 18-year-old woman from Southampton contacted police on Friday, December 20, 2013.

"Detectives are making enquiries into the circumstances surrounding a sexual assault on this woman and the theft of her handbag.

“These events are believed to have happened in the area of Bedford Place, Polygon, Southampton during the early hours of Tuesday morning, December 17, 2013.

"There is no information to suggest this report is linked to any other crimes or cases.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives in Southampton CID on 101.