Appeal following report of sexual assault in St Helens

Detectives are appealing for information following a report of sexual assault on a woman in St Helens on Sunday 24 April.

It was reported that at around 5am the victim was walking along Westfield Street in St Helens town centre when she was approached by a man who began talking to her and then allegedly touched her inappropriately.

She then shouted and the offender walked away.

The victim, a woman in her 40s, although uninjured, was left shaken by the incident.  

An investigation has commenced to gather witness and CCTV footage in the area, including an appeal.

Detective inspector Barbara Hebden said: “We take reports of sexual assault very seriously. This was a traumatic experience for the victim, and we are working hard to hard to identify the offender and bring them to justice.  

“We are carrying out extensive enquiries in the area including obtaining CCTV footage that may have captured the incident.

“We are appealing for people who were in the vicinity and saw something suspicious to contact us, or may have CCTV footage which can help with our enquiries.

“Providing support to victims of sexual assault has never been more important, and I would encourage anyone experiencing this to report it to us and we will support you every way we can.  

"If anyone who has suffered a sexual offence and you can find the courage to come forward and speak to us, we will deal with you sensitively and make sure that reports are thoroughly investigated."

Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has information which could help us with our inquiries, is asked to DM @MerPolCC, message ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre on Facebook’ or @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111 with reference 22000279839.  In an emergency, always call 999.
 
If you’ve been affected by sexual violence of any kind, support is available through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Victim Care Merseyside service delivered jointly by two registered charities. In Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral, support is provided by Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (RASA) Merseyside who are available on 0151 558 1801 and, in St Helens and Knowsley, by the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) Cheshire and Merseyside who can be contacted on 01925 221 546 or 0330 363 0063.

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, eg 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)