Appeal for help after girl is raped in Alnwick

Oct 7 2008 by Jon Tunney, The Journal

POLICE were last night hunting a man who raped a teenage girl in a Northumberland market town.

The 15-year-old girl was attacked between 7.30pm and 8pm on Sunday night at Springfield Park in Alnwick in the area of the disused St Oswald’s School.

The girl was making her way home when she was attacked by the man believed to be around 18 and 20 years old.

Police are also seeking two other men, thought to be in their late teens to early 20s, who are believed to have been in the area at the time.

Detective Inspector Steve Would said: “This is a very rare offence, particularly for a quiet rural area such as Alnwick.

“People can be reassured that we are doing everything we can to trace those responsible for this attack. We need the public’s help and would urge anyone with information to come forward.”

Last night people living on Springfield Park were shocked by news of the rape and concerned that the man responsible was still at large.

However, they said the school, since closing, has been a magnet for teenagers who they often hear and see drinking, screaming and climbing on the roof.

Angela Murray, 60, whose home backs on to the school, said she would be urging her 19-year-old daughter not to walk on the estate alone following Sunday’s events.

She said: “That school has been left like that too long, we have had problems with the young ones going to drink. I have reported lots of things, but the police do not always come.

“It is frightening, it is really frightening, having a young daughter myself. Not that anything has happened here before but you never think it will happen do you. It has been a really private place, it has been lovely, we have been here about 20 years – it is worse since the school has been shut. I will tell my daughter she can not walk round here any time.”

Neighbour Kay Coulson, 67, and also retired, added: “When my daughter lived here years ago, I used to say never walk down there.

“It is quiet lonely down that stretch. Since the school closed there has been teenagers around but I have never heard anything like this before. You sometimes hear them screaming and yelling as they are coming down, you do not generally think anything of it.

“It is horrendous to hear something like that.”

Any witnesses, anyone who was in the area at the time or anyone who has any information, is asked to contact DS Margy Burdon at Alnwick CID on (03456) 043 043 ext 61322.