Detectives Issue CCTV Images in Southport Sexual Offence Case

CCTV image appeal following report of serious incident in Southport
Detectives have issued CCTV images of a man who may have information that could assist enquiries following a sexual offence in Southport.

We received a report of an incident that occurred in a hotel in Southport on Sunday 15 December.

Extensive CCTV and witness enquiries have been conducted and detectives have issued CCTV images of a man they believe could assist in their investigation.

Detective Sergeant Rebecca Robinson said: “We take reports of sexual offences very seriously and we are very keen to speak with the person featured in the image to help with our enquiries.

“This was a traumatic experience for the victim and we are working hard to ensure that the person responsible is identified.

“We hope this male can come forward to assist with our enquiries or that others may recognise him and provide this information to the police. He has a distinctive tattoo on his neck. We believe he could hold information that could be vital to our continuing enquiries.

“We also encourage people to come forward if you know anything about the incident which will help with our investigation.”

If you have any information please contact Merseyside Police via Twitter @MerPoLCC or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 with reference 24001052697.
Always call 999 if a crime is in progress.

Anyone who wants to report a sexual offence is asked to call 101 where you will be spoken to by a specially trained officer.

If you have been a victim of sexual offence you can access specialist support services, which are free of charge and available to anyone. You do not need a referral or to have reported an incident to Merseyside Police before you access these specialist support services. This help is also available to family and friends who are supporting the survivor.

These services can support you in a variety of ways, including offering a confidential discussion if you are thinking of making a police report, but are unsure what that involves and would like to discuss it.
If you do decide to report to Merseyside Police, you will receive support throughout the investigation and court processes.

You can choose to make an anonymous report through the Sexual Assault Referral Centre called Safe Place, or the Independent Sexual Violence Advisor service, rather than coming directly to Merseyside Police. Please search for RASA or RASASC (if residing in the St Helens and Knowsley area).

Support is available in Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral, from Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (RASA) Merseyside who are available on 0151 558 1801 and, in St Helens and Knowsley, by the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) Cheshire and Merseyside who can be contacted on 01925 221 546 or 0330 363 0063.

If you do not require immediate police assistance then you can report rape and sexual assault via our website here:
https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/ 

Support is also available through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Victim Care Merseyside service: Home: Victim Care Merseyside

Alternatively, you can report a sexual offence by calling 101 or you can pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, always call 999.

We have recently launched our plan to tackle the issue of violence against women and girls and help women and girls to feel safe and be safe across Merseyside. The link can be found here: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/police-forces/merseyside-police/areas/campaigns/campaigns/2022/our-commitment-to-keeping-women-and-girls-safe-in-merseyside/our-approach/

For women who have felt or feel unsafe in public spaces the Home Office has set up a pilot service (StreetSafe | Police.uk (www.police.uk) for anyone to anonymously report public places where they have felt or feel unsafe, because of environmental issues, e.g. street lighting, abandoned buildings or vandalism and/or because of some behaviours, e.g. being followed or verbally abused. Please note: 'StreetSafe' is not for reporting crime or incidents.