Detectives are reissuing images of two men who may have information that may assist our ongoing enquiries into a sexual assault in Liverpool city centre in August.
At around 5.05am on Sunday 14 August, it was reported that a woman was approached by men on Hanover Street. She was then followed and sexually assaulted by one of these men on Peters Lane, close to Hotel Chocolate.
The woman managed to break free and ran in the direction of Liverpool One Bus Station.
CCTV and witness enquiries are ongoing to identify the man responsible, and detectives still need to identify both men pictured as soon as possible.
Detective Inspector Jennie Beck said: “Our enquiries into this serious incident continue, but we are still yet to speak to these men, and they could hold vital information to assist us. Given the incident took place in the early hours of a Sunday morning in Liverpool city centre, there is a possibility that either or both could be from outside of Merseyside and visiting for the weekend.
“In view of this, I’d ask anyone who sees this appeal to share as far and wide as you possibly can, especially on social media accounts, and with people who live elsewhere.
“Specialist officers continue to support the victim and we will respond to all information provided immediately to ensure those responsible are identified and put before the courts.”
“There may still also be other people who saw the incident or the suspects making off. This incident happened at a time where people may have been leaving bars and returning home. If you recognise these men, or these images remind you of anything suspicious you saw on the night in question, come forward and we will do the rest.”
You can pass on any information via DM @MerPolCC, ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 with reference 22000594601.
Anyone who wants to report a sexual offence is asked to call 101 where you will be spoken to by specially trained officers, or you can pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Merseyside Police, alongside three other forces, have also been part of a pilot project for a new service to report rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences online – with the option to report anonymously.
The new online Rape and Sexual Assault reporting service is now live on the website here: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/ and enables people who do not require immediate police assistance to report the crime via their local force website.
Support for victims is also available through the registered charity the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre Cheshire and Merseyside, who can be contacted on 01925 221 546 or 0330 363 0063 or Rape and Sexual Assault Merseyside (RASA) on 0151 558 1801.
For women who have felt or feel unsafe in public spaces the Home Office has set up a pilot service (StreetSafe | Police.uk (www.police.uk) for anyone to anonymously report public places where they have felt or feel unsafe, because of environmental issues, eg street lighting, abandoned buildings or vandalism and/or because of some behaviours, e.g. being followed or verbally abused.
Please note: ‘StreetSafe’ is not for reporting crime or incidents.
If something has happened to you or someone you know (including in public spaces online) you can call us on 101 or find out what online reporting services are available at StreetSafe | Police.uk (www.police.uk)
