Merseyside Police are investigating an attempted rape in an alleyway in St Helens after a woman reported being sexually assaulted in the early hours of Monday, November 9.
Officers received a report at around 3.20am that a woman had been attacked in an alleyway between Kirkland Street and Burnell Close. The incident is believed to have taken place at around 2am.
Suspect Description
The suspect is described as a white man, around 5ft 7in tall, with short dark hair and a dark beard. He is said to have spoken with a St Helens accent and was wearing a dark blue puffer jacket, dark blue jeans and white trainers. He was also smoking a cigarette.
Police enquiries are ongoing, with officers carrying out house-to-house enquiries, reviewing CCTV footage and appealing for witnesses in the local area. A cordon remains in place at the scene.
Police Appeal
Detective Inspector Adam Smith said: “We understand how shocking this incident will be and I want the public to be reassured we are doing everything we can to find the person responsible.
“The woman was left clearly distressed by her ordeal and is being supported by specially trained officers.
“The investigation is in the very early stages and enquiries are being carried out.
“We are appealing to anyone, particularly taxi or delivery drivers, who may have been in the area at that time and saw anyone matching the description of the man to contact us as a matter of urgency.”
How to Report Information
Anyone with information should contact Merseyside Police social media desk using X or Facebook @MerPolCC. Information can also be reported via the force's website or by calling 101 quoting incident reference 26000918033.
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website. In an emergency always call 999.
If you have been a victim of a sexual offence or have concerns for someone you know, call 101 where you will be spoken to by specially trained officers. In an emergency, always call 999.
If you do not require immediate police assistance, you can report rape and sexual assault anonymously via the force's website. If you do decide to report to Merseyside Police, you will receive support throughout the investigation, court process and beyond.
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.
Support is also available through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Victim Care Merseyside service.
