Rape victim, 19, said she was attacked by a stranger in Southsea alleyway as police hunt predator still at large

Officers are stepping up the hunt to catch the predator who ambushed the lone 19-year-old female as she walked in an alleyway off Clarendon Road between The Fisherman's Kitchen and Riva 6 Beauty, Southsea, at around 10pm on Saturday.

Although investigations continue to progress, officers ‘do not believe this incident is linked’ to the serious sexual assault of a 40-year-old woman on Southsea Common late at night on August 3.

On Saturday night, screams were heard by locals who rushed to the scene to find the teenager crumpled on the ground crying.

Police set up a crime scene and continued to investigate on Sunday with a cordon in place for most of the day as officers - and forensic experts - combed the area for clues.

Today, Hampshire Constabulary have made a further plea to the public to help them with enquiries to catch the alleged rapist, who remains at large.

A police spokesman said: ‘We are appealing for witnesses and information after a 19-year-old woman reported she was raped in Southsea.

‘The woman reported she was in the alleyway when a man not known to her attacked her.

‘The woman continues to receive the support from specialist officers.’

Referring to the investigation on the sexual assault on Southsea Common, the spokesman added: ‘As per our routine investigation strategy, we regularly review similar crimes and incidents to establish any links. This review continues as investigations progress.

‘At this time we do not believe this incident is linked to any other ongoing investigations.’

Det Insp Emma Crute, speaking on the rape investigation, said: ‘To ascertain the exact circumstances of what happened, we have been conducting house-to-house visits and scoping CCTV in the local area.

‘These enquiries will continue and we would ask any residents to assist us should they have information that could help.

‘This incident took place on a busy Saturday night at the start of a Bank Holiday weekend and we believe there would have been a lot of people out and about who may have seen something.

‘We would like to hear from anyone who was in the area of Clarendon Road on Saturday evening who saw or heard anything, or anyone, suspicious.’

Nearby resident Lewis Bishop, who was one of the first on scene following the incident, said: ‘I heard sobbing which I thought was just from a child at first. But then I heard screaming and realised it was much more serious.

‘I raced down there where a chef from a nearby restaurant had gone to help her.

‘We got a blanket to cover her up. People were rallying round to help her but she was in a right state crying. It must have been horrendous for the girl.’

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 and quote 44200333243.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and leave information anonymously.

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