Officers appeal for witnesses to serious sexual assault in Cheltenham

Police are appealing for witnesses of a serious sexual assault that took place on the Cheltenham Promenade last month to contact police.

The incident is suspected to have occurred by the phone boxes opposite White Stuff and Hotel Chocolat in Cheltenham between 6.10am and 6.15am on Saturday 22 January.

CCTV shows a number of passers-by who were in the area at the time of the incident and officers are asking these members of the public to get in touch.

A man from Dursley, aged in his 20s, was arrested on the same day on suspicion of rape. He has since been bailed to return to police in April.

Detective Constable Steve Martin from the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Team said: "We are looking to identify and speak to a number of people who appear to have walked close by to the incident. They may not have known an offence was taking place but we would like to speak to them about what they may have seen.

“I hope that the speedy arrest that was made only a matter of hours after the report was made to police reassures other victims of sexual offences that Gloucestershire Constabulary is here, we will listen and we will take your report seriously."

The victim received specialist care following the incident.

If you have any information please contact police on 101 quoting incident 156 of 22 January, alternatively complete the following form quoting the same incident number https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/