Watford: Rape Claim Of Taxi Teenager

26 November 2012, 14:03 | Updated: 26 November 2012, 14:08

A 17 year-old girl who travelled from Watford to Slough at the weekend claims she was victim of a rape attack.

Two police forces, Hertfordshire and Thames Valley Police are now appealing for witnesses following the rape of the girl early on Saturday morning.

The 17 year-old victim got into a taxi in Watford with a male passenger and was driven to the Salt Hill Park area, Slough where she got out with the passenger. The offender then raped the victim in the park, and ran off towards Farnham Road. Police were called just after 5am.

The offender is described as a mixed race man, aged around 35, 5ft 7ins to 5ft 8ins tall with dark hair. He was wearing jeans and a white T shirt.

Detective Inspector Nicola Denard, leading the investigation, said: "This was a very nasty attack. I would ask for anyone who may have seen the victim and the offender within the park area in the early hours, or who recognises the description of the offender, to contact us as a matter of urgency.

“We are also keen to talk to the driver of a silver taxi who picked up a fare of a man and a woman in Watford in the early hours and drove to Salt Hill Park area as he may be a witness."

The Thames Valley DI added: "We would also like to speak to another witness who was approached by the victim and the offender in the Salt Hill Park area in the early hours. He is described as a white man wearing dark clothing.

“We are doing everything we can to apprehend the offender. We would like to reassure the public that this type of crime is very rare, but we will be stepping up patrols in the area.”

Anyone who was in the area this morning or has any information which may help officers with their enquiry should contact the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 101.

If you don't want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.