Police search for man who raped girl in Southwick

Detectives investigating the rape of a teenage girl near Southwick beach are asking the public to help identify the suspect.

Sussex Police said that at about 9pm on Friday, September 2 a teenage girl from Southwick walked towards the beach area, across the locks and by the wind turbines at the harbour area.

At that point she was approached from behind by a man who raped her, police said.

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The incident was not reported to the police until October 19.

Police said the man was described as in his late forties, about 5’9”, stocky, with dark hair and with white but tanned skin. He was wearing dark blue shoes, dark casual trousers and a dark coloured shirt, police said, and added that he smelt of alcohol.

Detective Constable Angela De Vivo of the West Sussex Safeguarding Investigations Unit said: “Since this report came in we have been working carefully and sensitively with the young girl to establish what happened.

“We have also been making extensive local enquiries and although this happened more than two months ago we still hope people may recall seeing a man of that description, between the A259 and the beach itself. We are also keen to hear from anyone who has seen any other suspicious activity in that area recently. So far we have had no such reports.”

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Anyone with information should report online to Sussex Police, quoting serial 606 of 19/10. Click here to do so.

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