POLICE say a woman was raped in York and have released this image to help the investigation.

North Yorkshire Police say the women in this CCTV image spoke to a man suspected of the attack.

The image has just been released by police, but was taken in the early hours of Thursday, August 11.

A police spokesman said the victim, who is in her late 30s, was raped in the Acomb area, but the two women in the image may have spoken to the male suspect in Coney Street at about 2am.

The man was in a white van and police believe this conversation took place before the rape, which was reported to police at just after 4am.

Detective Inspector Mark Pearson said: "We need to speak to the two women in the CCTV footage as they could be vital witnesses in the case. It must be stressed that neither is incriminated in any offence.

"One of the women appears to have had a brief conversation with the suspect, who was driving white Renault van, prior to the incident. We need to establish what was said between the two parties."

A 26-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the investigation and remains on police bail whilst enquiries continues. The victim is receiving support from specially-trained officers.

Anyone who recognises the women in the CCTV image should phone North Yorkshire Police on 101, email mark.pearson@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk or phone Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111, quoting reference 12160144036.