Police remain at the scene of a suspected attempted murder after a woman was found seriously injured in a village.
The woman, in her 50s, was discovered next to the sewage works and railway line near to Rectory Lane in Brantham, on Suffolk-Essex border, on Wednesday morning.
She was found with a serious head injury and was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge for treatment.
Police in Brantham on Thursday morning (Image: Jude Holden)
The woman, who was walking her dog when she was attacked, remains in hospital in a critical condition, Suffolk police said on Wednesday evening.
Searches, forensic enquiries and house-to-house enquiries will take place over the next few days while additional officers will be in the area to provide reassurance to the community, police have confirmed.
An attempted murder probe has been launched (Image: Jude Holden)
Officers could be seen in the area on Thursday morning carrying out an investigation, with police treating the incident as attempted murder.
A police spokesman said on Thursday morning no arrests have been made so far and the victim remains in a critical condition.
UPDATE: Police hold press conference at scene in Brantham
Police down a path near where the woman was found (Image: Jude Holden)
The incident has sparked shock in the community, with Babergh councillor for the area Alastair McCraw wishing the woman a full recovery.
People in the village on Thursday morning have also said they were surprised to hear of the attack.
Bradley James, 28, is a tractor driver who lives in the area. He said: "Dog walkers always use these paths.
"It’s quite tragic, really - you don’t get anything like that happening in this village.
Bradley James, a tractor driver, was in the area on Thursday morning (Image: Jude Holden)
"A lot of people are a bit nervous to go walking their dogs. My mum is scared because you don’t know what’s going on."
Ian Swan, 58, from nearby Mistley, added: "It always seems very safe down there usually.
"There’s plenty people of around - I’ve never been out here and not met someone.
"But I’ve never heard of any problems down here."
Anyone with information related to the incident is urged to contact Suffolk police, quoting crime reference number 37/41580/24.
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