A 16-year-old girl was allegedly raped on the seafront in Bognor Regis, West Sussex, during the early hours of Saturday, November 7. A 20-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of rape and remains in custody while enquiries continue.
Arrest and Investigation
Police were called to Marine Drive West following the reported attack. The suspect was arrested at the scene, and the girl is being supported by specialist trained officers. Sussex Police have confirmed the 20-year-old remains in custody as the investigation progresses.
Investigating officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with relevant CCTV or dashcam footage to come forward. A Sussex Police spokesperson said: "A 20-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of rape and remains in custody at this time. The victim is being supported by specialist trained officers. Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting Operation Kilgaven."
Scene Examination
Pictures from the scene showed police gathering evidence on Saturday, with parts of the promenade, including several shelters, cordoned off while forensic teams carried out initial inquiries. Officers were pictured with evidence bags, and others were swabbing a red bike leaning against a shelter at the scene. The cordons are believed to have since been lifted.
In a full statement, Sussex Police said: "Police are investigating a report of a rape of a 16-year-old girl in Bognor. The offence is understood to have taken place in Marine Drive West in the early hours of Saturday, November 7." The investigation remains ongoing, and the public is urged to contact police with any information quoting Operation Kilgaven.
