Ipswich: Police investigate reports of Easter morning rape in town centre

A major police investigation has been launched after a woman reported being raped in Ipswich during the early hours of Easter Sunday morning.

The incident took place in an alleyway off a private car park between Lower Brook Street and the Old Cattle Market bus station near the heart of the town centre.

Police were alerted to the incident by the town pastors, as they had been approached by a member of the public who had in turn spoken to a distressed woman. She reported being raped around 2.35am.

A substantial team of police officers spent much of the day searching for clues, and the area where the incident took place remained sealed off for much of the day.

Detectives and scenes of crime officers were on the scene as inquiries continued.

The victim was being supported by specially-trained police officers at a special suite for victims of sexual crimes – but officers said the nature of such incidents means that it can take some time to build up a full picture.

The police tape sealing off the car park was finally removed late on Sunday afternoon.

Town pastors, which are supported by churches in the town centre, work with the police to offer support to those who are out on Friday and Saturday nights. They are out and about between 10pm and 4am.

Earlier this month the Ipswich town pastors were joined by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby during his visit to the diocese.

Police have appealed to anyone who was in the area at the time and may be able to assist the investigation to contact Ipswich CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.