Police launch investigation into alleged rape in Canterbury playground

The suspect had been part of a group of men who approached the woman

Author: Rory GannonPublished 19th Oct 2024
Last updated 19th Oct 2024

Kent Police are launching an appeal for information after a woman was allegedly raped in a playground in Canterbury.

Officers were alerted to the Toddler's Cove playground near Whitehall Road in the city at around 9:30pm on Friday evening (October 18th).

When officers arrived at the scene, they found a woman in distress after she had been assaulted.

Following lines of enquiry, the suspect was believed to be part of a group of four men who approached the woman while she was in the park.

The suspect is said to have stayed behind to commit the offence after his friends had left the scene.

According to descriptions, police say the man was a white man from Eastern Europe, aged around 18 or 19-years-old.

He also had tight black curly hair which covered his ears and was wearing a white tracksuit top and white bottoms. He carried a small white bag around his waist.

Kent Police also described two of the other men involved in the incident, saying they were also white and of a similar age, while the fourth had darker skin and sported a green fleece that night.

Officers are now investigating the incident and have launched an appeal for information and witnesses to come foward.

As well as this, CCTV footage from the area at the time of the attack is being examined, with forensic analysis taking place.

In the meantime, investigators have urged those who may have been in the area at the time of the attack to come forward as soon as possible.

Those with information can get in touch with police by calling 101 and quoting incident reference number 46/177215/24.

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