Extra police patrols after rape on Christmas Eve

Susie RackWest Midlands
News imageGoogle A google street view image of an area of grassland with public footpath, and a forested area behind it with well-established trees. The sky is grey and cloudy.Google
Police said the forest area where the attack happened led to Beech Road, Woodside Avenue and Newcomen Way in Ironbridge

Police are increasing foot patrols and conducting door-to-door inquiries as they continue to investigate a rape of a woman on Christmas Eve morning in Shropshire.

The attack, reported to police on 19 January, happened between 09:45 and 11:25 GMT in a forest area off Beech Road in Ironbridge, near to Castle Green Cemetery.

West Mercia officers are keen to identify a man described as white, about 5ft 10in (1.8m) tall, with short dark hair. He is thought to have been wearing dark jeans and a black coat at the time of the incident.

The force said a police presence would be visible in the area on Saturday.

Det Insp Danielle Logan appealed to anyone in the vicinity on Christmas Eve who saw someone acting suspiciously to contact police.

"Inquiries show that the forest area where the attack happened leads to Beech Road, as well as Woodside Avenue and Newcomen Way," she said.

"We are keen to hear from anyone who may have been in those areas or who has relevant CCTV or dashcam footage."

The attacked woman was in her 20s, police said.

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