Police cordoned off a church and surrounding park after a woman was reportedly raped on the grounds. Officers received a report at around 8.20pm on Wednesday, November 4, that a woman had been raped at the rectory on Old Hall Lane in Kirkby.
Victim Receiving Specialist Support
The rectory serves as the official contact address for St Chad's Church on Old Hall Lane and St Andrew's Church on St Andrews View. The victim went to St Chad's Church for help and is now being supported by specially trained officers while extensive lines of enquiry, including forensics, are carried out in the area.
A Kirkby resident told the ECHO just after 7am yesterday morning that St Chad's Church and St Chad's Gardens had been taped off by police. Pictures taken by the ECHO just after 1pm that afternoon showed the park and church had been closed, with one police van parked on Old Hall Lane.
Police Investigation and Cordon Removed
Jeremy Fagan, the reverend for St Chad's and St Andrew's, told the ECHO yesterday that he was aware of the police incident. He added that he had been assisting officers with their enquiries but declined to comment further. The cordon had been taken down by this morning (November 6).
Anyone with information about this incident should contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X or Facebook @MerPolCC, report information via the website, or call 101 with reference 26000906385. Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Support Services Available
A police spokesperson said: "If you have been a victim of 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."
Victims can access specialist support services that are free of charge and available to anyone, without needing a referral or having reported an incident to Merseyside Police. In Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral, support is provided by Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (RASA) Merseyside on 0151 558 1801. In St Helens and Knowsley, the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) Cheshire and Merseyside 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.
