A teenager who claimed to have been seriously sexually assaulted  in Ewell yesterday has admitted that she fabricated the story, police have announced.

Police units rushed to the Cox Lane area of Ewell where the incident was said to have occurred between 6am and 6.30am on Sunday, June 30.

It had been reported to them by a third party at 6.45am after a woman in her late teens was found in a distressed state.

Enquiries were carried out by detectives and the area was taped off by police.

Specialist officers from the sexual offences investigation team also supported the woman throughout the day.

But, last night  the 18-year-old woman, from London, admitted she had made a false allegation.

Police said they are "carefully considering" what action to take against her.

Detective Inspector Antony Archibald said: "Surrey Police takes all allegations of this nature extremely seriously and it is deeply frustrating when reports like this are falsely made.

"A lot of officers’ time was put into this investigation and due to the serious nature of the allegation it was fast-tracked and taken to the highest level which took vital resources away from other people which may have needed them.

"We are carefully considering what action may be taken again against the woman who made the allegation.

"I would encourage any genuine victim of sexual assault to come forward and speak to us in the strictest of confidence so we can bring offenders to justice."