Town rape investigations not linked, police say

Police have said there is no link between two rapes which were reported a fortnight apart in a town.

A 15-year-old girl was attacked in Beaumont Road in Totton on 1 March, Hampshire Constabulary detectives said.

In a second incident, police said a 13-year-old girl was left in a park in Testwood Lane after being raped on Friday.

Det Insp Claire Shawley said: "At this time, we do not believe the two incidents are linked, based on the events reported to us by the victims."

Police investigating the first attack have appealed to trace a white man, aged in his early 20s, who has brown hair, a large nose and a spotty face.

They have also requested CCTV footage and information from witnesses who were in the Beaumont Road area at about 20:30 GMT.

Det Insp Shawley said: "We fully understand the concerns within the local community regarding this incident.

"I'd like to reassure you all that we are working extremely hard to progress our investigation."

The later incident on 14 March happened between 18:20 and 20:30 GMT, police said.

Officers said they were conducting inquiries at the park where the girl was left and were working to obtain CCTV footage.

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