Woman raped in seaside town play park as couple with child wanted by police

A woman has allegedly been raped in Barrack Hall Park, Bexhill. Sussex Police has issued an appeal for a man and a woman seen with a child around the time of the attack at 5.30pm on Mondat, August 18.

The victim, a woman in her 20s, is receiving support from specially trained officers as the investigation into the seaside town rape progresses.

The suspect was described as a white man wearing a short-sleeved top and trousers, who was not believed to be known to the victim.

Detectives are looking to trace a man and a woman who both had bikes in the children's play park area within Barrack Hall Park between 5pm and 5.20pm. They were last seen pushing their bikes out of the play park and across Barrack Park towards the allotments.

They are also keen to speak to man and woman who were in the play park area with a young child from 5.40pm to 6pm and were present when police officers first arrived.

Detective Inspector James Meanwell said: "We are keen to hear from these individuals who we were in the park at the time and may hold key information for the investigation.

"We are also appealing to anyone who may have captured video footage in the park around that time - including on mobile phones, dashcams, or other devices - to come forward, as this could also provide vital evidence.

"We understand this incident will have caused significant concern within the local community. We are continuing to work tirelessly, with dedicated patrols in place to provide reassurance and visibility while we carry out a thorough investigation.

If you are one of the individuals who were in the park or you have any information which could assist our investigation, report online or by calling 101, quoting Operation Calcot. In an emergency, always dial 999.