Detectives continuing to investigate the reported rape of a woman in Bournemouth are making a direct witness appeal.
The incident occurred in the area of Lansdowne Road and Beechey Road in the early hours of Sunday 26 February 2023.
Police are seeking a man who assisted a distressed woman in Lansdowne Road at around 1.30am on Sunday morning and helped her to Bournemouth Travel Interchange after the incident.
The victim believes the man had an Australian accent and enquiries have revealed that this man was at the Travel Interchange and met a female passenger off a coach that arrived at approximately 1.45am on Sunday 26 February 2023.
Detective Inspector Mark Jenkins, of Dorset Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “It is extremely important that the investigation team is able to speak to this man as he may hold vital information to assist.
“I would urge him to please come forward and make contact with us.”
Following enquiries by detectives, an 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of rape on the evening of Tuesday 21 March 2023. He remains in police custody.
Detectives are urging anyone with information, images or footage relevant to the investigation to submit it via the UK Police Major Incident Public Portal at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/55HQ22M88-PO1. We would ask that information is submitted through the MIPP if possible, for anyone without access to the internet contact can be made via 101, quoting occurrence 55230033381.
Alternatively, to stay 100 per cent anonymous, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.