AS THE police hunt continues for two suspects wanted for a rape in Maldon, two mums are still fighting for lighting and CCTV for an underpass nearby.
On Saturday, January 24, a woman in her twenties, was dragged into bushes by two men and raped, just yards from Mill Lane path, under the A414 near Tesco at Fullbridge.
On Friday, detectives released an e-fit image of one of the suspects they would like to trace in connection with the rape.
The shocking assault has kick-started a community campaign with over 3,000 people signing a petition calling for lights and CCTV on the secluded path, and for hedges nearby to be trimmed.
The campaign, headed by Heybridge residents Kelly Sanger and Lorraine Hastings, has a Facebook group called 'Make The Heybridge A414 Underpass Safe' with 894 members.
And after sending letters to Maldon MP John Whittingdale, Essex County Council highways boss, Councillor Rodney Bass, and Maldon District Council, the group has received good news.
Mrs Sanger, 43, from Roman Close, started her campaign in November after hearing about a previous attack in Mill Lane.
She said: "We have received a reply from Essex County Council and they have agreed to meet us to discuss the lighting down there.
"The council have said that they have been on site with the police and reviewed the situation and have decided that all vegetation overhanging this path is to be severely cut back by rangers.
"We are awaiting a response from the police but on the ground they have been very supportive.
"It's brilliant to see the community come together to try to stop something like this happening again."
The first suspect is described as of Asian or Indian appearance, around 30 years old, about 5ft 10in tall, with stubble, and he was wearing a Superdry jacket, which has a green logo. He is the one suspected of the rape.
The second man was slightly taller than the first and wore a black coat and a hooded top.
Mother-of-two Lorraine Hastings, 41, a carer from Heybridge, has been door-knocking to get residents to sign the petition.
She said: "They have given contact information to us and have advised if we need any assistance with anything we can call them.
"Local shops and businesses supported us by putting up posters and getting petitions signed, they have been amazing. We cannot thank them enough for all their support."
To sign the petition, please go to www.change.org and look for 'Make The Heybridge A414 Underpass Safe'.
A man is due to stand trial at Chelmsford Crown Court next month following an alleged rape near the same underpass on June 11.
