'Sex assault' in Belfast park

'Sex assault' in Belfast park

Police searched the park for clues

A young girl is reported to have been the victim of a sexual assault at a park in north Belfast.

Police have been carrying out a major search operation at the Waterworks Park on the Antrim Road following the alleged assault at about 2300 BST on Tuesday.

The teenage girl's clothing has been recovered from a lake in the park.

It is understood several youths may have been involved.

It is believed the girl was accompanied by a friend, who ran for help and raised the alarm at a house on the Cavehill Road.

Attack may have been captured by police station CCTV camera

Detective Inspector Brian Logan said "The investigation has now reached the stage that whilst an assault took place on a teenage girl the assault was not a serious as first feared."

He added that the attack had left the girl traumatised and appealed for anyone who was in the area at the time of the attack to contact the police.

SDLP North Belfast Assembly member Alban Maginness said the news was "greatly disturbing" for local people.

"It is up to the city council and police to give protection and to safeguard the safety of people using the park," he said.

Sinn Fein North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly said it was "an absolutely deplorable attack".

"It is now important that we all push harder to reclaim these areas for the community and to make them secure for anyone to be able to enjoy in complete safety," he said.