Renewed appeal for witnesses following reported rape in Bournemouth
Detectives are renewing their appeal for witnesses to come forward as they investigate a report of a rape in Bournemouth.
Dorset Police received a report at 1.57am on Sunday 6 July 2025 that a woman aged in her late teens was reportedly raped in a public toilet in Undercliff Drive.
Officers attended and following fast-time enquiries, a 31-year-old man from Bournemouth was arrested on suspicion of rape. He has since been released on police bail.
Detective Inspector Shaun Inkpen, of the Dorset Police Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT), said: “We are continuing to investigate this incident and following extensive enquiries, it has become clear that there are two key witnesses to this incident at 1.10am who may provide vital information that can assist the investigation team.
“The first is a person with short dark hair who was walking a brown, midsized dog on the beach near the East Cliff Zig Zag path. They were wearing a dark long-sleeved top, dark trousers and dark shoes and walked in the direction of Boscombe Pier.
“The second is a person in dark clothing carrying a backpack, who was walking close to the East Cliff Zig Zag path heading towards Bournemouth Pier.
“I would be very keen to hear from these two witnesses who we have established were in the area at the time the reported rape took place.
“The victim is continuing to be supported and updated with the progress of the investigation by specialist officers.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55250097668. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.
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