MORE than 1,200 people have joined an online effort to find the sex attacker who raped a teenager in a York field.

The group on the social networking website Facebook, called Find The Westfield Attacker, was set up by local resident Ashley Parker, who lived for 20 years in Westfield Place, near where the attack took place.

Mr Parker said he set up the group to encourage people to come forward with any information that could lead to the rapist, who attacked the 18-year-old woman on Saturday, being found and prosecuted.

A police spokesman said they were unaware that the group had been set up but that, following an e-fit appeal, several new lines of inquiry were being investigated.

One person on the Facebook group said they had seen someone matching the e-fit description last Sunday.

She said: “I think he lives locally because on Sunday night, before the picture came out, a guy just like him was lurking around the Spar, near Holgate.

“I got that freaked out I got a family member to pick me up. He followed me into the shop then left before I paid and was hanging around where I had seen him before. He even creeped the cashier out, so I think he’s definitely local.”

Mr Parker said: “I wanted to make sure everybody was aware that a rapist was on the streets. People need to know that somebody like this is out there and everyone is on Facebook these days.

“Also, I thought it would be a good way of people sharing information which I am then passing on to the relevant people.”

Michelle Allenby, another local resident, wrote: “I grew up in Westfield Place and my family still live there and so do some of my friends.

“It is terrifying to think that as kids we used to play football on that field and hang out there without any of this. How times have changed.

“I hope this evil man is caught and hope the young girl gets the support she needs.”

Officers from the York Safer Neighbourhood Team will be in Acomb today, delivering leaflets to local residents, appealing for information.

Detective Superintendent Lewis Raw, who is leading the inquiry, said: “It’s one week on now since the attack and I am very conscious that it is still very fresh in people’s minds. If somebody has information that could help the investigation but has not yet come forward then I strongly urge you to do so as soon as possible.”

The knife-wielding attacker approached the woman from behind and dragged her towards a clump of bushes.

She suffered scratches, bruises and cuts to her face and body in the attack.

Witnesses or anyone with information should phone York Police on 0845 6060247, quoting reference number 12100027797, or phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.