Witnesses to an alleged attempted rape in Borehamwood's Tempsford Avenue could hold the information the police need to find out what happened.

A 19-year-old woman was attacked by a man in his early or mid-twenties, who she had met in a pub on July 23, a Sunday.

She said the man attempted to rape her at about 10.30pm as they were walking from the Elstree Moat House towards Tempsford Avenue.

She said he dragged her into an alleyway behind Tempsford House, a block of flats, and spent around ten minutes attacking her, during which time she was crying out for help.

She added that she remembered hearing people entering the flats as the attack happened.

She then managed to break free from the man and ran off along Balmoral Drive.

She was not injured in the attack.

The police are now anxious to contact anyone who saw the two together, and would like to speak to the people who were entering Tempsford House at the time, as they may have heard something crucial to the investigation.

The investigating officer, Sgt Jon House from Borehamwood CID, said: 'We know at least two people entered the block of flats.

They were heard by the victim.

'We need to contact those people, and any other witnesses who were in the area at the time.

No matter how insignificant they may think their information is, they should contact us.'

The man is described as being white, of slim build, about 5ft, 9ins tall and aged about 24 or 25.

Anyone with information should contact Sgt House at Borehamwood CID on 020 8905 1212, extension 6664.