Arrest made following reported sexual assault in East Dorset
A man has been arrested following investigative work by officers into a report of sexual assault in East Dorset.
Dorset Police received a report at 1.51am on Sunday 27 July 2025 that a woman – aged in her 50s – had been sexually assaulted by a man in Avon Castle Drive in St Ives.
The incident is reported to have occurred a short time before the report at around 1.30am.
Following enquiries, a 28-year-old man from East Dorset has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault. He has been released on police bail as officers continue further investigative work.
Detective Chief Inspector George Graham, of Dorset County CID, said: “We have continued to investigate this incident and can now update that we have made an arrest.
“I am continuing to appeal to anyone who saw or heard any suspicious activity in the Avon Castle Drive area on that day between 1am and 2am to please contact us.
“I am also continuing to appeal to motorists with dashcam fitted, who were driving in the area at the time, to please review your footage and come forward should they have captured anything of relevance.
“Officers will continue to patrol the area, and we would encourage anyone with concerns or information to please approach officers and speak to them.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55250109965. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.
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