TEATIME RAPE OF SCHOOLGIRL
MANHUNT AFTER TEENAGER IN UNIFORM ASSAULTED BY ATTACKER ‘SMELLING OF AFTERSHAVE’
A TEENAGE girl was raped in an alley on an estate.
A manhunt has been launched following the sickening attack.
Police were called to Birch Road in Wardle, Rochdale, on Wednesday evening.
The girl, 16, who was wearing her school uniform, was walking through an alley off Birch Road at around 5pm when she was pushed to the ground by a man before being pinned down and raped.
Residents in the area said police officers were seen searching nearby fields, at the back of Wardle Academy, overnight. The girl is not a student at that school.
A cordon was in place while police investigations continued.
It stretched around an area of Green Meadow and Noble Meadow.
Detectives said the attacker is believed to be ‘black or of dual heritage,’ 5ft 8, of medium build and aged between 30 and 40.
He was wearing blue jeans and smelt strongly of aftershave.
Around 10 PCSOs were seen stood at the cordon yesterday morning. CSI vans were also parked at the scene.
Neighbours said officers were seen searching nearby fields and woodland overnight.
Police have asked parents and children to be vigilant. Detectives said the victim did not know her attacker.
A mobile police station was being set up in the area to reassure residents – and there will be an increased number of officers in coming days. Schools have been visited by officers.
Speaking yesterday, Supt Richard Hunt, of GMP’s Rochdale district, said: “This was a very distressing incident for the young girl.
“This was an awful attack; an attack on a young girl - a 16-year-old child wearing school uniform.
“This male has pushed this young girl to the ground and raped her.
“This a very traumatising time for her and her family and we have got specialist officers supporting her. Her welfare is our priority at the moment.
“She is going to be interviewed and hopefully there will be a lot of information gleaned from that.
“A dedicated and very robust investigation by my officers started last night and will continue going forward into the next few days.
“We are not going to leave any stone unturned to try and locate the offender. And I am confident that our plan will be successful in that.
“I would like to reassure the public that we are doing all we can to trace the person responsible and bring them to justice and you will see increased patrols around the area in the coming days.
“This incident took place at a relatively busy time of day, and I am appealing for any witnesses or anyone who have seen something suspicious to contact us.
“Even the smallest detail could be of the utmost importance in helping us with our enquiries.”
He added: “We’d ask anyone with CCTV to check that and dashcam footage as well and if they think it may be of use to pass that to us.
“I’d ask young girls who are travelling home from school to be extra alert, stick to the main roads and well lit areas and walk with their friends – or ask parents in advance.
“If they need some support absolutely they need to speak to their parents and there is additional support available if needed.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 4646, quoting incident number 2066 of January 15, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.