A SCHOOLGIRL was recovering in hospital today after being abducted and sexually assaulted on Southampton Common.

The 13-year-old rang 999 after waking up under bushes near Burgess Road last night.

Detectives were hoping to gain a clearer picture today after they speak to her.

It is understood the girl was abducted near her home in Millbrook, Southampton, and driven to Winchester Road. She could not recall anything after that, and woke up later, near bushes on the common, in darkness. She emerged from the wooded area near the junction of Hill Lane and Burgess Road and called police at 10.12pm.

Det Sgt Damon Kennard said: "She cannot remember anything about the attack but early indications are that there has been sexual assault. She was abducted by an unknown male in Millbrook."

The victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was receiving treatment at Southampton General Hospital today.

Police believe she was abducted after 9pm but say it is not clear if the sex attack had taken place on the common or elsewhere.

Today an area of the common remain cordoned off. Detectives from across the city are investigating the attack, with a squad expected to be set up at Hulse Road divisional police headquarters in Southampton.

Millbrook residents awoke today to find All Saints' Church at Kendal Avenue and Sedbergh Road corner cordoned off. Some have voiced anger and fear at the incident.

Vicar of Maybush, the Rev Norman Boakes, said: "I think it is so traumatic and tragic for the family. The girl must be traumatised. It's just awful."

Clare Rodham, 27, of Andeby Road, Millbrook, said: "I am a mother of three, including two girls. If it's my daughter, I'd do something to him that would put me in jail. It is sick and disgusting. I will never let my kids out of my sight because nowhere is safe. She must be going through hell."

Sarah Williams, 26, of Redbridge Towers, said: "Her parents going out of their minds.

"There are so many weirdos wherever you go. This is absolutely sick.''

Ronald Cocks, 66, Blyth Close said: "It's terrible. They should string them up if they catch them."

Brian McStay, 30, Goodwin Close, said: "It makes me feel sick. I have two step-children nearly that age. It is just evil. My children will not play in the park alone anymore."

Sidney Masters, 73, Pevensey Close said: "It's terrible, how can people get like that?"

City residents in the city by the common also reacted angrily to the incident.

Dean Eastman 38, of Pointout Road, said: "My boy is 16 but you're still wary about letting youngsters onto the common. You see so many kids walking through there. This really frightens you. It's terrible to think this has happened on our own doorstep."

Liz Repton, 32, of Pointout Road said: "There have been attacks on the common before. I'd never walk there at night because it's so dark. It's a shame it's a no-go area. If you are female it's your worst nightmare."

Police appealed for anyone with information to come forward. In particular, officers want to trace anyone who saw a young girl using a phone kiosk near the common just before 10.15am.