Continued appeal following reported rape in Liverpool city centre

Detectives investigating a serious sexual offence in Liverpool city centre in August are appealing for a hackney cab driver to come forward who may have information to help ongoing enquiries.

The incident was reported to police at around 5.30am on Fleet Street on Saturday 26 August and the victim, an 18-year-old woman, is still being supported by specially trained officers from our Unity Team who are dedicated to investigating offences such as this. 

A 34-year-old man from Liverpool has been arrested on suspicion of rape and possession of a controlled Class B drug (cannabis). He has been conditionally bailed pending further enquiries.

We are today, Friday 13 October, appealing for a hackney cab driver to come forward because he may have information.

It’s believed the male driver picked up the victim and her friend on Hannover Street, near Lloyds bank, around 30 minutes after the reported incident and took them to Ellesmere Port in his cab.

Detective Inspector Leanne Toole said: “Although we have made an arrest, the investigation is ongoing and we are now appealing for a hackney cab driver who picked up the victim after the incident to please come forward.

“We believe he could have information to assist our ongoing enquiries. If the driver recalls this fare, please come forward because you may be able to help.

"We understand that incidents such as this will cause great concern and I want to reassure people we are conducting a thorough investigation to establish what happened.

“If you hold any relevant information, CCTV or mobile phone/dashcam footage from the early hours of Saturday 26 August please contact us so we can continue to piece together the circumstances of this incident.”

You can pass on any information via DM @MerPolCC, ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 with reference 23000802204. 

To report a sexual offence call 101 where you will be spoken to by specially trained officers or you can pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. 

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.