A woman has reported a rape in Liverpool city centre.
Merseyside police were called to report of a serious sexual assault at around 4am on Thursday, November 9. The victim reported that she was attacked at St John's Gardens, behind St George's Hall.
Detectives set up a cordon in the area, at St John's Gardens, and on Hunter Street and Byron Street, nearby. A short time later, officers arrested a 34-year-old man on Hunter Street on suspicion of rape. He was taken to a police station in Merseyside where he remains in custody.
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Detective Inspector Rob Pritchard said: "We take all reports of rape and sexual assault extremely seriously and a full investigation has been launched into this incident. Although a man was quickly arrested at the scene our officers are currently on Hunter Street and St John’s Gardens to establish exactly what happened.
"If you were on Hunter Street or St Johns Gardens early this morning and have any CCTV or doorbell footage of the area please contact us so we can continue to piece together the circumstances of this incident. You can pass on any information via DM @MerPolCC, ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 with reference 23001115403."
To report a sexual offence call 101 where you will be spoken to by specially trained officers or you can pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. If you’ve been affected by sexual violence of any kind, support is available through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Victim Care Merseyside service delivered jointly by two registered charities.
In Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral, support is provided by Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (RASA) Merseyside who are available on 0151 558 1801 and, in St Helens and Knowsley, by the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) Cheshire and Merseyside who can be contacted on 01925 221 546 or 0330 363 0063.
For women who have felt or feel unsafe in public spaces the Home Office has set up a pilot service (StreetSafe | Police.uk (www.police.uk) for anyone to anonymously report public places where they have felt or feel unsafe, because of environmental issues, eg street lighting, abandoned buildings or vandalism and/or because of some behaviours, eg being followed or verbally abused.
Please note: 'StreetSafe' is not for reporting crime or incidents.
If something has happened to you or someone you know (including in public spaces online) you can call police on 101 or find out what online reporting services are available at StreetSafe | Police.uk (www.police.uk).
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