Police step up rapist hunt

Police step up rapist hunt

The hunt for a rapist in Bolton was being stepped up on Thursday as a high-profile police operation began.

Officers from Greater Manchester Police were starting work in a mobile station in the park where a teenager was raped.

Mounted officers and extra patrols were also set to tour the area to talk to dog walkers and passers-by.

The operation comes two days after the 17-year-old woman was attacked in Moses Gate Country Park at about 1400 GMT on Tuesday.

Detective Inspector Andy Aston said: "We have a dedicated team of detectives who are working on this case.

Witness sought

"Over the next few days we will have teams of extra officers in the park, speaking to members of the public."

Officers are particularly anxious to trace a red-haired man, believed to be in his 50s, who was seen walking near the scene in the Farnworth area at 1420 GMT.

They stressed the man is not a suspect in the case, but hope he might have witnessed something that will assist the inquiry.

The area where the woman was attacked was sealed off after the incident, and officers have already been stopping vehicles passing the area as part of the investigation.