15 year old girl raped in Sunderland

An investigation has been launched in Sunderland after reports a teenager was raped in the city last night.

The attack happened around 10pm last night (Saturday, February 27) on a grassed area in St Mary's Way, near to the car park.

The offender is described as a white male in his 30s, thin build, around 5ft 8 inches tall and spoke with a local accent. Officers are carrying out enquiries into the incident and are asking anyone with information to come forward. Police are also keen for a key witnesses who may have spoken to a girl in a distressed state in the area to get in contact. Extra officers will be in the city centre to carry out enquiries and offer reassurance. Superintendent Lisa Orchard said: "Clearly this is an incredibly distressing incident for the victim and her family and we are working with them to offer support at this time. "It's important we piece together what happened and for this reason would like to hear from anyone who was in the city centre in St Mary's Way around 10pm last night to please come forward and speak to us as they could have vital information that could help identify the offender. “He is described as a white male in his 30s, thin build, around 5ft 8 inches tall and spoke with a local accent and I would urge anyone who thinks may know who this is to get in contact.