Police are re-appealing for witnesses after a 14-year-old boy was raped in Manchester city centre

August 23, 2012, 1:00 pm

Police are re-appealing for witnesses after a 14-year-old boy was raped in Manchester city centre.

At about 5.45pm on Saturday 2 June 2012, the teen victim was in the Arndale centre, near the entrance of Aldi and Subway, when he went to the toilets.

While there he was approached by two men, one Asian, one white, who stared at him. One of them said to him”come with us, do what we say and if you try to run well get you.”  And he was grabbed by the arm, led out of the Arndale centre and taken to nearby Debenhams.

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He was then taken by the lift upstairs and was marched to a toilet where he was raped by the Asian man.

The traumatised victim contacted the police and has been supported by specially trained officers. He has been video interviewed and police have now issued CCTV stills of two men wanted in connection with the incident.

The attack happened two months ago, but a team of officers have been working since then with the victim to build up a picture of what happened and have been waiting for forensic results before deciding to issue an appeal.

Superintendent Stuart Ellison of North Manchester Division, said: “We have received a high volume of calls about this shocking case and I would like to thank those people who have got in touch.  Thanks to the information passed on, officers are following up a number of lines of inquiry.

“The details we have received has strengthened our belief this was an isolated incident and it’s important that we look to reassure the city centre community that there is not a wider threat to young people who visit or work in Manchester city centre. However, it is vital we catch those who are responsible for this horrific crime and bring them to justice.

“If you recognise the images of the men that have been released or you were shopping in the city centre and saw the men walking with the victim, we are keen to hear from you.”

Anyone with information is asked to call North Manchester CID on 0161 856 3240 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Greater Manchester is nationally recognised as a model of good practice in terms of support services available to victims.

– If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, we encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police or a support agency so you can get the help and support available.

– You can call Greater Manchester Police on 101, or alternatively people can refer themselves to St Marys Sexual Assault Referral Centre on 0161 276 6515.

– St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Manchester provides a comprehensive and coordinated forensic, counselling and medical aftercare service to anyone in Greater Manchester who has experienced rape or sexual assault. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and people can access them either as a self-referral or via Greater Manchester Police.

– Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential support service run by women for women and girls who have been raped or sexually abused. Confidential helpline: 0161 273 4500. Black and Minority Ethnic helpline: 0161 273 4514.

– Survivors Manchester offers support and counselling for adult male survivors of sexual abuse and rape, regardless of when the event happened. Contact 07919 246 267.