Police investigate Rape of 17yr old female in Whitefield

August 25, 2012, 8:23 pm

Amendment, 26th August 2012: The following report is false. See http://manchestercrime.com/2012/08/26/17-year-old-girl-rape-report-was-false/

Police are investigating after a 17-year-old girl was raped in Whitefield this morning, Saturday 25 August 2012.

Between 7.30am and 8.15am, the girl was walking along Ringley Road after a night out in Bury when she became aware of someone following her.

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Fearing she was about to be attacked she quickly took off her shoes and ran across to the other side of the road.

The offender ran after her, caught up with her and pushed her onto a grass verge at the entrance to Ringley Hey. She was then raped before the offender ran off down Ringley Road towards Higher Lane.

The victim was absolutely traumatised by what happened to her, but managed to give the following description of the assailant.

He was described as white, aged in his mid 30s, skinny build, clean shaven with light coloured cropped hair and wearing blue jeans.

Detective Inspector Simon Davies, of Greater Manchester Police’s Serious Sexual Offences Unit said: “This incident is still at the early stages of investigation, so we are trying to establish the full circumstances.

“The girl is now being supported by specially trained officers and I want to reassure her, and the wider community, that we are working extremely hard to find this violent offender.

“This attack happened at the edge of a busy road that stretches between Whitefield and Bolton and it happened at a time when people are starting to leave the house and get out and about.

“As a result I am confident that there must be people out there who would have either seen what happened, or who saw a man fitting the description in the area at the time.

“Please, if you saw anything – but perhaps didnt think too much of it at the time – then get in touch with us.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Serious Sexual Offences Unit on 0161 856 1812, Greater Manchester Police on 101 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 Mary⿿s 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.