News Update: Detectives investigating the rape of a woman in Bournemouth town centre have arrested two men.
A 28-year-old man from Bournemouth has been arrested on suspicion of rape and causing grievous bodily harm with intent. A 43-year-old man, also from Bournemouth, has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. They are both currently assisting detectives with their enquiries.
This comes following a report that Dorset Police received at 6.12am on Wednesday 13 November 2019 about a woman who had been found with injuries in Lower Gardens in Bournemouth.
Officers and the ambulance service attended the scene and took the woman, who is in her 40s, to hospital for treatment.
While at hospital, the woman reported that she had been walking through the gardens at around 5.40am when she was approached from behind by a man, who assaulted and raped her.
A cordon remains in the gardens to allow officers to examine the scene as the investigation continues. The investigation was launched by detectives from Dorset Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team.
Detective Inspector Wayne Seymour, of Dorset Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “The victim has been subjected to a horrific ordeal. While we do not want to cause any undue alarm, and incidents of this nature are thankfully rare, we would urge people to remain vigilant when heading to work in the early hours of the morning.
“There will be an increased police presence in the area as we carry out enquiries and local officers can be approached with any concerns.”