Police investigating the rape of a woman in Liverpool city centre want a hackney cab driver to come forward as he could have key information on the crime.
Detectives today issued a plea after a woman, aged 18, was attacked on Fleet Street at around 5.30am on Saturday, August 26. A 34-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of rape and possession of cannabis and bailed pending further enquiries.
Now police say a hackney cab driver who picked up the victim and a friend on Hanover Street and took them to Ellesmere Port around 30 minutes after the incident. They believe he could have vital information to help with their enquiries.
READ MORE: Boy racer who killed pregnant mum gets added jail time after 'insulting' sentence
READ MORE: Dad called police when he looked in his garden after Amazon delivery
Detective Inspector Leanne Toole said: “Although we have made an arrest, the investigation is ongoing and we are now appealing for a hackney cab driver who picked up the victim after the incident to please come forward.
“We believe he could have information to assist our ongoing enquiries. If the driver recalls this fare, please come forward because you may be able to help."
It is believed the male driver collected the victim and her friend near the Lloyds Bank.
DI Toole added: “If you hold any relevant information, CCTV or mobile phone/dashcam footage from the early hours of Saturday 26 August 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 23000802204.
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 us on 101.
Get the latest news from Merseyside's courts by signing up to our newsletter