A MAJOR investigation was under way today after a woman was raped in Southampton city centre.
Detectives say the 24-year-old was sat on the pavement outside the entrance to a nightclub when two men approached and dragged her to an underpass.
The sex attack is thought to have lasted for several minutes before the two men jumped in a car and sped off.
The rape happened in the early hours of yesterday morning, a short distance from The Edge nightclub in an underpass in Compton Walk.
Throughout the day the area was cordoned off by police while scenes of crime officers searched the area for evidence.
Enquiries were also carried out at houses in the immediate area until the scene was reopened last night.
The victim spent yesterday being interviewed by police and is said to be "traumatised" by what had happened.
Detective Inspector Roger Middle, leading the investigation called Operation Graham, said: "This was a violent attack by two men on a lone woman who had been sat on the pavement near to The Edge nightclub.
"We are determined to find those responsible. I would appeal to anyone who can help us catch these men to come forward to help with our enquiries."
Police are particularly keen to speak to anyone who came out of the nightclub or was in the vicinity between 12.30am and 1.15am yesterday. They are also trying to trace a man and a woman who offered a light for the victim's cigarette as she sat on the pavement shortly before the attack.
Witnesses are also being sought who saw a clean dark blue car speed off from Compton Walk turning left into St Mary's Road.
