Man rapes mother and daughter

High visibility patrols are taking place in the Derbyshire Hill area

Police are hunting a man who broke into a house in Merseyside and raped a mother and daughter.

The attack happened at the pair's house in St Helens, at about 1000 BST on Sunday.

The 50-year-old mother and her 24-year-old daughter were in their home when the man broke in and assaulted and raped them.

About an hour later the women managed to escape and raise the alarm at a local newsagents.

The rapist is white, aged about 19, 5 ft 11 in tall, with a very thin build and cropped, reddish-brown hair.

I would like to reassure the public that incidents such as this are rare DCI Francis Youell, Merseyside Police

He has dark, possibly brown, eyes, was clean shaven and is described as "ratty looking".

He spoke with a strong Liverpool accent and was wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt, navy blue T-shirt, blue denim jeans and white trainers.

Detective Chief Inspector Francis Youell, of Merseyside Police, said: "This was an appalling assault on two women in their own home and I would appeal to anyone who may have seen someone acting suspiciously in the Derbyshire Hill Road area to contact St Helens CID.

"Scenes of crime officers have attended the address where the incident is alleged to have taken place and house-to-house inquiries are already underway.

"I would like to reassure the public that incidents such as this are rare and we are currently carrying out a thorough and intensive investigation to trace the offender."

Police have stepped up high visibility patrols in the area following the incident.