BREAKING: Police explore new theory over Sheffield park 'sex attack'

They say that although they are unable to rule out any criminality, they suspect that the 21-year-old may have suffered a 'medical episode' in Weston Park, opposite the city's Children's Hospital and that she may not have been the victim of an assault after all.

Weston Park was sealed off and a manhunt was launched after the woman found herself slumped on the ground in the park on Monday, January 23.

Detectives at the time said she was unconscious for around two minutes but had 'no recollection or memory of how she came to be in that position'.

Today, a force spokeswoman said: "Working alongside the 21-year-old woman, we have interviewed numerous witnesses, analysed CCTV footage and collected and processed a number of forensic opportunities in order to establish exactly what happened during the few minutes the woman was unconscious.

"The woman has offered her full cooperation throughout the investigation and we have continued to support to her.

"We have updated her at every stage of the investigation and she remains supportive of the action we have taken.

"As we conducted enquiries, gathered evidence and information, it has become apparent that although a criminal act cannot be excluded, another explanation is that the woman's collapse may have been due to a medical episode.

"We have a duty of care to anyone who reports a crime to us and will investigate any report thoroughly.

"Should any new information come to light regarding this incident, it will of course be looked in to."