Bedfordshire Police have reissued a call for witnesses as they continue to investigate what they call a “horrific ordeal” where a woman was raped close to Castle Mound in Bedford.
The woman in her 20s was attacked on 12 July, shortly after the England v Italy UEFA Euro final when the town was busy with football fans.
Read: Police appeal for information in Castle Road rape investigation
Detectives say they are keen to trace six people who were seen in the area around the time of the attack, and who may have vital information.
These include:
- Three people seen sitting on the steps of The Higgins Museum.
- A black man and a white woman who stopped briefly to speak to the three on the steps
- A 6’2” white man with brown highlighted hair worn in a ‘man bun’, who was near the scene of the incident. He was wearing a navy-blue flannel-type checked shirt and white top underneath, he was headed towards the John Bunyan Museum.
Detective Constable Andrea Crouch, from the force’s RASSO team, which investigates sexual offences, said she believes these people may have seen something key to their investigation.
“We would really like to speak to them to see if they have any information which could assist our enquiry,” she said.
“Our team of specialist officers continues to offer support to the victim after her horrific ordeal. We are taking this very seriously and will continue to follow all lines of enquiry.
“I would urge anyone who was in the vicinity after the football final to get in touch.”
Anyone who was in the area at the time, or who may have information about the incident, is asked to contact Bedfordshire Police through their online reporting centre, quoting ‘Operation Identify’.
You can also make an anonymous call to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Two men arrested in connection with the incident have since been bailed.
- Update: This article was updated at 14:05 on 19 August 2021. The details of the men arrested in the connection were amended to show that they have since been bailed.
