Sussex Police Major Crime Branch have released a CCTV image of a man they are anxious to trace in connection with the rape of a 17-year-old girl in Dyke Road Park on Tuesday, February 15.
The man travelled on the top deck of the number seven Brighton & Hove bus from Queens Road, Brighton to Goldsmid Road in Hove, just before midnight on Monday, February 14.
Detective Chief Inspector Trevor Bowles who is leading the hunt for the attacker said: “The identity of this man is urgently sought, given that he was close to the area of the attack and within about 20 minutes of it taking place.
“We would like to talk to him in order to eliminate him from our enquiries.
“We now know this man walked up Dyke Road having got off the bus in Goldsmid Road.
“We are not sure when he left the Dyke Road area, but we do need to trace him.
“He had previously sat in the top deck of the bus having got on at Queens Road, outside the Quadrant pub and I am hoping that other passengers will recognise him.”
The man is described as in his 30s, olive skinned, short dark hair of stocky build and has close shaven facial hair and side burns.
He is believed to speak with a European accent.
If you know who this man is or have any information regarding the attack please call Sussex Police on 0845 60 70 999 quoting Operation Dublin or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.