AN investigation has been launched after a woman was subjected to a 'heinous' sexual assault by three men in a Cheshire layby.

The serious sexual assault took place in the early hours of Easter Monday in Hassall, near Sandbach.

The victim, a woman in her 30s, was travelling in a dark coloured estate car with three men.

Between 12.30am and 12.45am the car pulled into a layby near to Lodley Cattery on Alsager Road in Hassall.

At that point, the victim was sexually assaulted by all three men.

Following the attack, the driver took the victim home. The two other offenders stayed behind at the layby.

The three offenders have all been described as Asian men.

Enquiries in relation to the incident are ongoing.

Detective Inspector Victoria Shelton, of Crewe CID, said: "Specialist officers are giving the victim the support she needs following this horrendous attack, and we are doing all we can to establish the identities of the men responsible.

"We are determined to bring the offenders to justice for their heinous actions and are currently following a number of lines of enquiry.

"As part of this, we want to hear from anyone who was driving along Alsager Road between 12 midnight and 1am on Monday, April 18, and believes that they may have seen the men, the car they were travelling in or anything suspicious.

"The same goes for anyone with any dashcam or CCTV footage of the men or the vehicle. 

"I urge anyone with any information or footage that may help our investigation, no matter how small, to get in touch.”

Chief Inspector Clare Jesson, of Congleton Local Policing Unit, said: “Incidents such of this understandably cause significant concern among the local community.

“I would like to reassure residents that such incidents are rare and we are doing everything we can to identify the men responsible and make them face the consequences of their actions.

“If you have any concerns, please speak to a local officer.”

A 33-year-old man from Stoke-on-Trent has been arrested in connection with the incident. He is currently being questioned by officers in police custody.

Anyone with any information or footage that may aid the investigation is asked to call 101, quoting IML 1248126, or give the details via the Cheshire Constabulary website (cheshire.police.uk/tell-us).

Information can also be given anonymously via the Crimestoppers website (crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously) or by calling 0800 555 111.