A WOMAN who reported being raped by a stranger is being supported by officers while detectives hunt for her alleged attacker.

Police believe the man they are looking for is Kurdish and aged around 24 years old.

He is between 5ft 6ins to 5ft 8ins tall, of skinny build with a thin face, with black hair in a small ponytail on top and a goatee beard.

At the time of the alleged incident he was wearing a blue and red puffer jacket with a hood.

The attack was said to have happened inside a property on Crescent Road in Middlesbrough.

Officers are appealing for anyone with private CCTV footage which shows the suspect and victim walking along in the areas of Union Street, Princes Road, Finsbury Road, Costa Street and Crescent Road between 11pm on Thursday and 12.30am on Friday to contact them.

A police spokesman said: “Anyone with CCTV footage or who may have sighted the suspect with the victim at the time prior to the incident is asked to contact Cleveland Police.

"If you have been a victim of rape or sexual abuse you can also contact Teesside Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) for help and support, regardless of whether or not the offence has been reported to police."

The SARC number is 0333-344-8283.