Man arrested following report of rape in Hale Village

We have arrested a man following a report a teenage girl had been raped by a man in Hale Village.
 
It was reported the incident had happened on Friday 13 December after the man arranged to meet the girl on social media.
 
A 31-year-old man from Prescot has been arrested on suspicion of rape and possession of a Class B controlled drug (cannabis). He has been taken into custody to be interviewed.

Detective Inspector Tony Meakins, from the Force's Child Criminal Sexual Exploitation Team, said: “The traumatic impact rape and sexual assault have on victims is huge and long-lasting.
 
“Merseyside Police is completely committed to protecting people from this heinous crime, stopping those who seek to do them harm and bringing them to justice.
 
“Our specialist Unity Team is dedicated to investigating all sexual offences and to supporting victims through the whole investigative process so that we can prevent any further crimes of this awful nature from happening. 
 
“If you have experienced any form of sexual abuse, or know of a child being abused, please come forward and let us know so we can investigate.

“We take all such reports extremely seriously and if you can find the courage to come forward and speak to us we have specially trained officers who will treat you with sensitivity and compassion.”
 
“If you have experienced any form of sexual abuse, or know of a child being abused, please come forward and report this to police. We take all such reports extremely seriously and if you can find the courage to come forward and speak to us we have specially trained officers who will treat you with sensitivity and compassion.”
 
If you are a child or young person suffering sexual or physical abuse, the following organisations can also provide help and support:
 
NSPCC – call 0808 800 5000 or e-mail [email protected]
Childline – call 0800 1111
 
If you’ve been affected by sexual violence of any kind don’t be afraid to tell someone, find the courage to come forward and get the help you deserve.
 
You can report rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences anonymously here: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/how-to-report-rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/
 
There is a lot of support available from specialist officers within Merseyside Police and 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.