Police investigating the rape and assault of a woman in Wellington in the early hours of Friday have arrested a man overnight in Sussex and seized a car.
A man in his 20s was detained on suspicion of rape, and remains in police custody.
The woman reported a man punched and raped her in the North Street area at about 2.20am, before leaving in a car.
She was treated in hospital and released, with specialist officers continuing to offer her support.
DI Wendy Fellowes from the Operation Bluestone team – Avon and Somerset Police’s specialist unit investigating rape and serious sexual offences – said: “I’d like to thank members of the public who have been in touch offering CCTV and other footage of the suspect vehicle, a white Volkswagen Golf, and other information.
“Please do continue to review any footage you have of Waterloo Road, North Street, High Street, Fore Street or Taunton Road between 1am and 2.30am on Friday and contact us with any relevant information.”
If you can help at all, call 101 and give the reference 5226140164 or complete the form on the police website.
Alternatively call the independent charity Crimestoppers 100 per cent anonymously on 0800 555 111 or using their online form https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information
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Help is available for victims of rape or sexual assault, recent or non-recent.
People can self-refer to The Bridge, a Sexual Assault Referral Centre available 24/7 365 days a year.
Visit their website The Bridge – Help after rape and sexual assault (thebridgecanhelp.org.uk) or call 0117 342 6999.
There are also details of charities and organisations with expertise in supporting victims at www.thisisnotanexcuse.org.
If you feel unsafe in a public place you can report it via StreetSafe on the police uk website, https://www.police.uk/pu/notices/streetsafe/street-safe/.
The tool helps to inform their approach to protecting women and girls and allows police and partners to target particular areas of concern.