An investigation has been launched after police received reports that a woman was raped on Weymouth Beach.

The alleged attack is understood to have happened in or around the chalets at the Pier Bandstand end of the beach in the early hours of today.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "At around 4.15am on Tuesday officers were called to The Esplanade in Weymouth following an allegation of a rape of a local woman aged in her 40s.

"A 32-year-old Weymouth man has been arrested on suspicion of rape and is assisting officers with their enquiries.

"Officers have been carrying out forensic work at the scene of the incident and investigations are continuing."

Speaking this morning (July 5) Dorset Police confirm the man has now been released under investigation. 

The chalets remained cordoned off yesterday afternoon as investigations into the incident continued.

Police officers were seen patrolling the area throughout the day.

Members of the public have expressed their shock at the alleged attack.

Arthur and Jeanne Phipps regularly visit Weymouth from the West Midlands.

Mrs Phipps said: “It’s shocking, you don’t expect it in a holiday resort. We have been here five or six days and we’ve never seen any trouble.

“You don’t want it to give Weymouth a bad name because it’s just such a lovely place.”

The family of one of the chalet owners, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “It makes you feel that you are not safe to be out in the early hours."

They added: "We were down here in May and our chalet was broken up.

“We come at least two times a year and have never had cause to think it’s not safe here."

Cllr Francis Drake, spokesman for community safety at Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, said: “It is really shocking because we are trying to give a good image of the town and we don’t want this sort of thing happening.

“I would say that 95 percent of Weymouth is safe."

He added: “We have got to think of the alleged victim, and hope she is okay.

“If anybody has seen anything they should tell the police.”

Anyone with information that could assist officers can contact Dorset Police on 101, by emailing 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or www.dorset.police.uk/do-it-online/ and quote occurrence number 55170100864.