A MAN has been arrested after a woman was allegedly raped on a riverside path in Hereford.

West Mercia Police said it was hunting for a man described as tall and tanned after the report of rape near the river Wye.

A police cordon was in place on a riverside path in Hereford for several hours after a rape was reported on Sunday, July 31.

A West Mercia Police spokesperson said officers were called to a report that a 20-year-old woman had been raped by a man between midnight and 1.30am as she walked along a river path beside the Wye in Hereford.

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The attack happened opposite the rowing club between the Old Bridge and Great Western Way

On Wednesday afternoon, police confirmed a man had been arrested.

A police spokesperson said a man in his 20s had been arrested on suspicion of rape.

He had since been released on police bail as investigations continue.

Police are still appealing for witnesses to come forward, or anyone who might have information about the alleged attack.

The suspect is thought to have fled from the scene along the pathway, heading in the direction of Luard Walk or the Hunderton estate.

The suspect is described as a male with tanned skin, of a slim build who was about six feet tall.

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Detective Chief Inspector Mark Peters said: “As part of the investigation we are now turning to the public for your help in identifying this man by appealing to anyone who may have captured CCTV or dashcam footage in the areas of Bridge Street, King Street or the Hunderton estate at around midnight and 1.30am.

"We would also appeal to anyone who may have used the river path between those times to come forward, no matter how insignificant you feel your information could be.

“We understand that this incident will be very worrying to the local community and I want to reassure the public that we have been, and continue to take it very seriously, and that there is likely to be an increased police presence in these areas while we continue with our investigations.

“The victim is being supported by specially trained officers and is being kept updated as the investigation progresses.”

Anyone with information, dashcam or CCTV footage that may help with the investigation is asked to contact police by calling 101 or visiting www.westmercia.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/ quoting incident 58i of July 31, 2022.

Alternatively, information can be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.