POLICE have dropped an investigation into a serious sexual assault in Winchester last Wednesday.

Detectives appealed for witnesses following a report from a 27-year-old woman who claimed she was attacked an alley off of Jewry Street.

Detective Inspector Jan Bulfield, from Winchester police station, said: “Specially trained officers worked throughout the weekend to assist a 27-year-old woman who reported that she had been sexually assaulted in Winchester city centre during the early hours of Wednesday, December 4.

“Hampshire Constabulary treat all reports of this nature very seriously and take time to establish the full circumstances. Further information has now allowed us to clarify that a serious sexual assault did not take place.”

A spokesman yesterday said no further action had been taken.