Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Teenage girl 'raped in Birmingham train station attacked again by second man she begged for help'

Police are appealing for witnesses 

Richard Vernalls
Thursday 27 July 2017 18:28 BST
The attacks took place near Witton railway station, Birmingham
The attacks took place near Witton railway station, Birmingham (Google)

A double manhunt is under way after a 15-year-old girl was raped by two different attackers, including a man she flagged down for help.

Detectives said the teenager was first assaulted in a secluded part of Birmingham's Witton railway station, near the Aston Villa football ground, some time between 7pm on Tuesday and 2am the following morning.

The victim had walked to the station with her friend, but was led away by a man who approached her.

Shortly after that attack, the girl walked out of the station and flagged down a passing vehicle to ask for help.

However, after getting in the car she was then raped a second time by another man.

CCTV footage shows woman being led away to be gang raped

A major investigation, involving detectives from both British Transport Police and West Midlands Police, is now under way to try to identify both attackers and appeal for witnesses.

The first attacker is described as Asian with light skin, brown eyes, was of a skinny build and about 6ft tall.

He was wearing a track suit top and bottoms, black trainers and was in his early 20s.

The second attacker is also described as Asian, in his early 20s, 5ft 6/7ins tall, of large build with a tight-cropped beard and was wearing a blue jumper and black jeans.

Detective Chief Inspector Tony Fitzpatrick, of British Transport Police, said: "This was a horrifying ordeal for this young girl and we have specially trained officers supporting her.

"It is now vitally important we investigate exactly what happened on Tuesday morning as well as identifying offenders for both of these awful incidents.

"My detectives are currently examining all available CCTV in an effort to identify the offenders and whilst these enquiries are made, we are keen to speak with any potential witnesses.

"Whilst this incident happened during the early morning and there may not have been many people around, I would be keen to speak with anyone who may have been in the area at the time.

"If you were passing by the station and saw two girls walking with an older man, then please get in touch immediately.

"Likewise, if you saw any suspicious vehicles close to Witton station close to 2am then please get in touch as soon as possible.

"Your information could prove vital in our enquiries to identify the perpetrators."

Anyone with information is asked to get in touch by sending a text to 61016 or by calling 0800 405040 quoting reference 65 of 26/07/2017.

Alternatively, people can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Mr Fitzpatrick added: "We are now doing all we can to trace the people responsible and bring them to justice."

PA

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in