Top officer warns teen rape investigation may "take some time"

ROTHERHAM’S top police officer has warned residents that a teen rape investigation may “take some time”.
The Lanes, near Herringthorpe, where the reported rape was carried outThe Lanes, near Herringthorpe, where the reported rape was carried out
The Lanes, near Herringthorpe, where the reported rape was carried out

ROTHERHAM’S top police officer has warned that the investigation into the rape of a teenage girl may “take some time”.

Detectives are hunting for the man who attacked a 16-year-old girl on a public footpath just off Badsley Moor Lane last Friday night.

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Chief Supt Rob Odell said: “We are well aware that this incident has shocked and distressed both the local community and the wider public, but I can assure you that our work continues in earnest.

“What I want to make clear is that investigating crimes of this nature can take some time as victims can be traumatised by their experiences, which is why specialist officers and support from other agencies is crucial.”

He added: “The victim in this case, a 16-year-old girl, continues to receive our support and if any further information becomes available we will, of course, share this with the public.

“Our officers continue to make house-to-house enquiries, as well as trawling CCTV from the areas the victim is believed to have walked through, in order to piece together her movements and to identify any potential suspects.”

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Detectives said the suspect spoke with a local accent and was reported to be wearing a dark hoodie with a small, green Nike logo.

Mr Odell said: “We appreciate that the description was limited, but we must support the victim throughout this investigation without pressuring her or rushing her in any way.

“We believe the victim was walking next to a service road on The Lanes, near to Badsley Moor Lane, between 9.30pm and 10.30pm last Friday when the suspect approached her from behind.

“He is thought to have run off from the scene, so we’re very keen to hear from anyone who may have heard or seen anything suspicious in that area between those times on Friday evening.

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“If anyone has CCTV cameras that cover this area and you haven’t yet been visited by police officers, please get in touch so we can make arrangements to come and view any footage.”

Anyone with information is urged to call 101 or email [email protected], quoting incident number 1280 of March 31.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.