Police cordon off wooded area after 14-year-old girl reports rape near Southampton roundabout
In southern England have sealed off a wooded area near a busy Southampton roundabout after a 14-year-old girl reported being raped there by a
Police in southern England have sealed off a wooded area near a busy Southampton roundabout after a 14-year-old girl reported being raped there by a man she did not know. The report was made shortly before 3:10 p.m. BST on Sunday, and officers are now looking for witnesses and video footage from the area.
The allegation centres on trees off the Wide Lane roundabout, near Mansbridge Road in Swaythling. Hampshire Police said specialist officers are supporting the girl while investigators treat the case as a priority. The force has put significant resources into the search. So has the public appeal.
Police release description of suspect
Detective Supt Ross Toms said officers have a “very detailed description” of the man they want to identify. He said the suspect was believed to be in his 30s or 40s, tall and skinny, with slicked-back blonde hair described as greasy and “curtain-style”, inch-long beard hair, pale or sandy skin and an arm tattoo that appeared to be writing.
Police also said he was wearing blue skinny jeans, a dark short-sleeved top that was shorter at the back, and beige or white plimsoll-style shoes.
Toms said the incident was “understandably very distressing” for the girl. Officers are asking anyone who recognises the description, or who may have been in the area between 2 p.m. and 3:10 p.m., to contact them.
Appeal for CCTV and dashcam footage
Investigators want footage from CCTV, doorbell cameras and dashcams captured near the roundabout and surrounding roads. That includes drivers who passed through the area at the time, as well as anyone walking nearby.
Police have not identified the suspect. They have not said whether the wooded area remained cordoned off on Monday, but the appeal suggests the search is still active and focused on eyewitness accounts and video evidence.
In a case involving a child and a stranger allegation, the details matter. A face. Clothes. A vehicle passing by. One clip on a camera could be enough to move the inquiry forward. Police are asking anyone with information to come forward as soon as possible.
