A TEENAGER who was dragged into an alleyway and raped on her way home from a night out may have been followed by her attacker, detectives revealed yester- day.

Police in Darlington are looking into whether the man who attacked the 19-year-old girl, off Neasham Road, Darlington, last Saturday, had tracked her from the town centre, using back lanes to avoid being noticed.

It was also revealed that response to appeals for information has been "limited," and that scrutiny of the town's closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras has so far produced no leads. Forensic examinations are still being carried out.

Acting Detective Inspector Dave Wilkes, who is leading the hunt for the rapist, renewed appeals for help.

"This is a very serious offence, and someone must have that on their conscience," he said.

"The public's help is critical to this investigation, and I would urge anyone with any form of information or suspicions to get in touch."

The victim was raped and sexually assaulted in an alley parallel to Neasham Road and Brunton Street - a busy residential area - shortly before 1am. Her screams for help were ignored.

Although the attack came only days after a 21-year-old woman's cries were in vain as she was raped in a park in Blackhill, near Consett, County Durham, police have ruled out any link.

The Darlington victim - wearing a brown fur coat and long skirt - was grabbed from behind as she made her way home from the town's Escapade nightclub.

She walked the one-and-a-half mile route alone through the town centre, past the police station, along Yarm Road and into Neasham Road.

Last night, officers patrolled the route in an attempt to find anyone who was in the area last Saturday night.

Police also revealed a party was taking place in Brunton Street at about the time of the attack, and appealed for any partygoers who have not already been traced to contact them.

Acting Det Insp Wilkes said of the latest developments: "There is no suggestion that the victim was overtly followed, but there was obviously someone hanging around the back lanes, and we are looking into whether she was followed that way.

"We will put all resources we can into establishing who was lurking around that area."

Anyone with information can contact Darlington CID on 0845 60 60 365 or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.