Police have confirmed that an allegation of a sexual assault in Christchurch Park, Ipswich, yesterday afternoon was false.

Suffolk police were called to an alleged sexual assault in Christchurch Park, Ipswich, early yesterday evening, July 6.

Officers cordoned off a section of the park to carry out an investigation, with Ipswich Borough Council closing the park at some time between 5pm and 5.30pm.

The park, run by Ipswich Borough Council, was sent into lockdown as police officers combed the area for clues.

However, police have confirmed that no crime took place, and verified that the allegation was false.

A spokesman from the force said: “Following reports of an alleged sexual assault in Ipswich’s Christchurch Park yesterday, police can confirm no offence took place.

“Officers took a call from a third party reporting that someone he knew had been attacked, however police carried out further enquiries, traced the person who had been identified as the potential victim and discovered that the allegation was not true and that she had been with other people in another location. This has been verified.

“The allegation resulted in the park being briefly closed yesterday while preliminary enquiries took place, however officers can confirm that there was no assault.”