A SECOND young woman has been brutally raped in Chatham in just over three weeks. The 20-year-old was grabbed from behind and dragged across a playing field after popping out to buy some cigarettes in the Chalk Pit Hill area.

Detectives say that while they were not directly linking it with the rape less than a mile away in Luton 19 days ago it was "Òan obvious line of inquiry". The description of the suspect bears striking similarities to that of the rapist who pounced in Hare Street off the Luton Road.

In the latest assault the victim was walking down Chalk Pit Hill, past the junction of Herbert Street, towards New Road. As she got to the bottom of the hill he pulled her across a play area in to a secluded corner behind gardens in Hartington Street where he raped her.

After he fled on foot she managed to call her mother, who lives locally, from a nearby phone box. Her ordeal began when she left her home at about 10pm on Monday. It is believed the rape took place at about 11pm and she raised the alarm at 11.32pm.

Det Insp Steve McIntosh said her attacker was "very threatening and forceful". He said: "We have not linked it with the other incident, but this is an obvious line of inquiry to see if there are any links. If this man has done this there is a danger he will reoffend. That is why it so important to catch him as soon as possible."

The rapist is described as white, in his early 20s, about 5ft 11ins tall and of slim build. He had short cropped hair, spoke with a local accent and was wearing a dark blue tracksuit and white trainers.