Police hunt for possible CCTV footage of rapist

Officers were called shortly before 12.25am on Saturday (June 13) after the 25-year-old victim was attacked as she was walking on a footpath through Whitebeam Woods.

The attacker forced the woman to the ground and raped her.

Crime scene investigators have collected evidence from the scene and officers are continuing to carry out house to house inquiries in the area.

Detectives are also searching for anyone who has private CCTV footage in the area that could have captured the attacker entering the woods or leaving after the attack.

The rapist would have had to leave the woods via one of a number of footpaths that emerge between the houses in the area.

The attack happened on a path that leads from Holly Close to Whitebeam Road.

The woman was assaulted while she was close to the basketball court that is opposite the junction of Romany Road and Walnut Tree Way.

Officers are also still trying to find anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the area late on Friday or early on Saturday, including motorists who may have seen someone emerging from the woods.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Rymarz, from Sussex and Surrey major crime team, said: “Although we have visited many of the homes close to where the attack happened, we are still trying to find any CCTV footage that could identify the offender.

“The footage could show the attacker leaving the woods, possibly dirty from pushing the victim to the ground.

“I would ask anyone who has their own CCTV in the area that shows the outside of their home to have a look at anything that was filmed from about 11.30pm on Friday to 12.45am on Saturday to see if it shows anyone acting suspiciously.

“We’re particularly interested to hear from businesses or people in Durrington, especially those who live in any of the roads near Yeoman Road, Romany Road and around Whitebeam Woods.

“We need the help of the local community to identify and trace the person involved so they can be arrested.

“If you know anything at all, please contact us.”

Anyone with information should email [email protected] quoting Operation Mode, call 101 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.