A woman was allegedly raped in a city centre hotel by a man who then fled the city.
The woman had returned to apartments in Stanley Street, Liverpool City Centre, at around 11.30pm on Monday (July 4) with the suspect who then attacked her, according to Merseyside Police. The force said the man then fled and drove away from the scene.
Detectives traced his vehicle and located it in Blackburn. A 23-year-old man, from the Lancashire town, was then arrested on suspicion of rape the following day. He was taken to a police station in Merseyside and has since been bailed.
The woman is continuing to assist police with their investigation. Detective Inspector Laura Parr said: “This was an extremely traumatic experience for the victim and she continues to receive support from our specially trained officers. We take all reports of rape and sexual assault extremely seriously, and a full investigation has been launched into this incident.
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"I would like to thank the victim for her bravery in reporting this to police and would like to take this opportunity to remind anyone who has been the victim of any sexual assault that there is extensive help and support available to you through out the investigation and beyond."
Anyone who believes they have information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact the force using reference 22000473798 via ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook, by calling 101 or calling @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111.
A Merseyside Police spokeswoman said: "If you have been affected by sexual violence of any kind don’t be afraid to tell someone, find the courage to come forward and get the help you deserve. You can report rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences anonymously here.
"There is a lot of support available from specialist officers within Merseyside Police and 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."
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