Girl, 14, allegedly raped in Southampton woodland in broad daylight

A 34-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of rape after a teenage girl was allegedly attacked in a wooded area of Southampton on Sunday afternoon.

Southampton rape: man arrested after alleged daylight attack on teenager

A 14-year-old girl was allegedly raped in a wooded area of Southampton on Sunday afternoon, the Daily Express reports. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said officers were called to the scene near the Wide Lane roundabout, off Mansbridge Road in the Swaythling suburb, at 3.09pm on 23 August.

A 34-year-old man from Southampton was arrested on suspicion of rape on Tuesday, 25 August. He has since been released on police bail while the investigation continues. Specially trained officers are supporting the girl and her family.

Detective Superintendent Ross Toms said the incident had been "very distressing" for the victim. "Our specialist officers are supporting her while we have significant resources in the area thoroughly investigating this incident as a priority," he said.

Toms added that officers would be conducting door-to-door enquiries and reviewing CCTV footage across the Swaythling area. "If you saw or heard anything in this area between the times stated, no matter how small your information could be crucial so please contact police," he said.

Investigating officers are also appealing for dashcam footage recorded in the area on Sunday afternoon. Anyone with relevant information is asked to call 101, quoting reference number 44260410740.

Source: Daily Express