POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a man was arrested on suspicion of rape in Boscombe.

As reported in the Daily Echo, police cordoned off a section of the grounds at St Clements Church, St Clements Road, on Saturday after being called to the incident at 5.30am.

A woman with a bloodied face was later seen asking for help from residents in nearby Hamilton Close.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police confirmed the victim, a 33-year-old woman from Bournemouth, sustained facial injuries as a result of the attack.

Detective Sergeant Andy Bell, of Bournemouth CID, said the woman had been left “very distressed”.

He added: “I am keen to speak with anyone who may have seen a black man of medium build, approximately 5ft 4ins tall, with short black hair and wearing a white woolly jumper, in the area around Southcote Road, St Clements Church and Knole Road between 4am and 6am on Saturday August 2.”

He confirmed a 22-year-old man from Bedfordshire was arrested on suspicion of rape and is helping officers with their inquiries.

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101, quoting incident number 2:87. Alternatively, you can call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.