She was later held overnight at an address in the village and raped, the girl told detectives. Police said the girl had been in contact with the man before meeting him.
Sussex Police arrested a 25-year-old man was early on Monday morning on suspicion of rape.
The suspect, who is British and from the Mid Sussex area, has been interviewed and released on conditional bail while further enquiries are carried out.
The force added that they are not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident.
Investigators began knocking doors and patrolling the West Sussex village in a bid to establish the circumstances of what happened.
A local resident who was asked for doorcam footage said police were asking to see footage from Thursday evening and the early hours of Friday morning.
The woman - who asked not to be named - said: 'It's really worrying. The police wanted to see anything the camera recorded on Thursday evening and between 4am and 5am on Friday morning.
'It's broad daylight at that time in the evening, then it's really early in the morning. I don't understand what that could be about.'
A local high school emailed parents saying they were aware of the incident and had asked staff to 'remain vigilant'.
Head teacher of Downlands Community School, Matt Ashdown, told parents: 'We are aware of an alleged incident that took place in Hassocks last week.
'In response, we have increased our pastoral support capacity and asked staff to remain vigilant in monitoring students' wellbeing and reactions.
'At this time, we have not received any further information from the police beyond what has already been shared within the community.
'The safety and wellbeing of our students remain our highest priority.
'Staff are on duty in the village before and after school each day.
'Within school, students are aware of how to report any safeguarding concerns, and we continue to encourage them to report anything of concern..'
Detective Chief Inspector Steve Cobbett said: 'This is an evolving investigation, and we have specialist officers in contact with the victim to ensure she is fully supported throughout.
'From the moment this was reported to us on Friday morning, we have conducted multiple enquiries in the Hassocks area to try and establish the full circumstances of what happened.
'Through these enquiries, we now believe the victim and suspect were in contact with one another prior to the reported offence.
'Our investigation is ongoing, but we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident and do not believe there to be any risk to the wider public.'
Inspector David Derrick added: 'Officers will be maintaining a presence in Hassocks while our enquiries into this matter are ongoing, and we encourage anyone who has any concerns to speak with them.
'We take all reports of this nature incredibly seriously and the public can be reassured that an extensive and thorough investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with any information relating to what happened is asked to report online or by calling 101 quoting Operation Insight.
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