Dedicated phone line and extra patrols one week after woman was raped in Peterborough

They will be appealing for information after a woman was raped in the Oundle road area following a night out between 3.15am and 4.30am on Saturday, July 23.

During the patrols this evening and tomorrow morning officers will be speaking to people in the area in the hope of gaining more information.

A dedicated phone number has been set up for people to call that will be manned from 8am until 4pm tomorrow (Saturday) and messages can be left outside of these times.

The number to call is 01480 422793.

The victim was approached by a man who spoke to her briefly before grabbing her by the hair and dragging her to more secluded location where she was sexually assaulted.

Following the assault the woman, in her 40s, was able to make it to a place of safety where she raised the alarm.

Police are keen to speak to a man described as black, around 5’8” of medium build and aged in his 30s, who spoke with a foreign accent. On the night of the incident the man was described as wearing black jeans and a black t-shirt.

In the past week police have been taking statements from witnesses and conducting searches and house to house enquiries.

DI Lucy Thomson said: “We hope that the activity in the area tonight will help to jog someone’s memory about something they saw that could help us to catch the offender.

“It’s possible someone might have seen or heard a man matching the description talking to a woman who may have seemed quite distressed.

“We don’t want to spoil anyone’s evening out but police will be around if you want to speak to them about what happened or give them any information.”

Anyone with information should call the dedicated number or can contact police on 101 referencing Op Requisite. Alternatively they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.