GIVE yourself up. That is the plea to a dangerous rapist on the first anniversary of a brutal attack on a young woman in Southampton.

It was one year ago this weekend when the man struck while his victim walked through a city centre park.

He grabbed her from behind and dragged her under some bushes where he carried out the ordeal.

Since then detectives have drafted in behavioural experts, had a major appeal screened on BBC's Crimewatch UK and carried out DNA testing of potential subjects.

Today they relaunched their appeal to find the man responsible and vowed that the case would not be closed until he was captured.

On the night of Saturday, June 11 last year the woman, 29, was in the city having attended a friend's wedding at Southampton Guildhall.

As she left the premises with her boyfriend shortly after midnight the pair had a minor argument. Her boyfriend walked off ahead.

The woman was in tears as she followed him out of the north-east corner of East Park. It was then the attacker pounced.

He threatened her that he was carrying a knife and would hurt her if she didn't keep quiet and do what he asked.

When the terrifying incident was over minutes later the girl, covered in dirt and traumatised, gathered herself up and walked the short distance to the nearby Jury's Inn where she was staying the night.

Hotel staff alerted police and a major inquiry got under way. Officers managed to retrieve samples of DNA which is hoped will eventually identify the man responsible.

Following last October's Crimewatch UK TV appeal a team of detectives working on the case, codenamed Operation Boylston, were hoping that at least one of almost 100 calls they received would lead to their man.

At least 25 of those had offered names of suspects who matched the description of the rapist. At least two of those were identical. But none led officers to a successful arrest.

Det Sgt John Gunner said: "We want people to know that this investigation and getting this man off our streets is as important now as it was then.

"We appeal to him to make contact with us. As long as he is still out there he is still a danger to female residents of this city."

The attack sparked a major overhaul of the safety of the city's parks following a stark warning from police that they were too dangerous at night time for women to walk alone.

Southampton City Council has since cut back overhanging bushes, put lighting through the main walkways and upgraded a disused cricket pavilion and toilet in Hoglands Park which was a known area for people to loiter.

They have also looked at improving the safety of the routes through the park and whether they could be improved.

Det Sgt Gunner added: "The attack and rape of this young woman was one of the most horrific we have had in Southampton for some years. Someone somewhere must know who he is.

"Maybe their loyalties to this attacker have changed during the past 12 months now is the time for them to come forward and tell us who he is."

"Undetected stranger rape cases will never be closed. Residents should be assured that serious sexual assaults of this type are rigorously investigated.

Anyone with information should call the major crime team at Hulse Road, on 0845 045 4545.