Detectives investigating a report of a rape in Bournemouth are issuing CCTV images of potential witnesses they would like to identify – with three men arrested in connection with the incident.
Dorset Police received a report at 4.37am on Sunday 1 December 2019 that a woman – aged in her 30s and from Basingstoke – had been raped. The incident was reported to have occurred at around 4am in the Norwich Road area.
The victim is being supported by specially-trained officers. A cordon was put in place at the scene as part of this investigation, to allow crime scene investigators to examine the scene.
Following enquiries, two men aged 31 and 33, have been arrested on suspicion of rape. A 35-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. All three men, from the Bournemouth area, are currently assisting detectives with their enquiries.
Detective Sergeant Jon Sainsbury, of Bournemouth CID, said: “We believe that the victim, who had been out with a friend that night, may have met the alleged offender earlier in the evening.
“I would like to reassure the public that a full and thorough investigation is underway into this incident.
“As part of my enquiries I have obtained CCTV images of five potential witnesses that I would like to speak to who were in the area of The Xchange bar in The Triangle at the relevant time.
“I am also keen to identify the driver of a small white car that was in the area around the time of the incident.
“I wish to make it very clear that these individuals are being sought purely as witnesses and I would urge them to please come forward as they may have important information to assist my investigation.
“I appreciate the images are not of the best quality, but I am appealing to anyone who recognises them from their clothing to please get in touch.
“Our local officers from the neighbourhood policing team can be approached with any community concerns.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email [email protected] or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55190189047. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
