‘A sickening attack’ - Police investigating rape on Gloucester Road in Bristol release CCTV images

Detectives investigating a rape in the Patchway area of Bristol have released CCTV images of a man they want to identify in connection with the ‘sickening’ attack.

Officers returned to the Gloucester Road and Chessel Drive areas this week, where they have ramped up patrols, in order to retrace the route taken by the victim the morning she was raped.

They spoke with members of the public to see if they recognised the individual captured on CCTV.

On Monday, September 27 last year, the victim was walking along Gloucester Road at around 4.35am when an unknown man approached her and raped her.

Detective Inspector Keith Smith said that while he appreciated the clarity of the CCTV images ‘isn’t the best’, the individual pictures may have connections with the Patchway area and officers remain hopefuly that someone saw him.

“We hope he may have information that could greatly assist our efforts,” said Det Insp Smith.

“This was a sickening attack on a young woman and we are urging anyone who has information that could assist us to come forward.

“We continue to support the victim and ensure she has the access to any help she needs following this awful incident.

“Incidents of this nature are fortunately rare and we’d like to reassure everyone that we are not aware of any other reports of this happening in Patchway since this occurred.

“Nevertheless we appreciate the community will be concerned by what has happened, which is why we’ve been conducting extra patrols.

“The neighbourhood team can be contacted via our website if anyone has further concerns they wish to discuss with us.”

Anyone who recognises the male or remembers witnessing something suspicious in the area is asked to call 101 and give the call-handler reference number 5221224957.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers, free and anonymously, on 0800 555111.