DNA tests on men near rape scene

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The victim was assaulted on a cycle path parallel to Gresley Way shortly before 0330 BST on 19 May

Detectives investigating the rape of a 27-year-old woman in Peterborough are to carry out DNA tests on men living near the scene of the attack.

The victim was assaulted on a cycle path parallel to Gresley Way shortly before 0330 BST on 19 May.

A Cambridgeshire police spokesman said men aged between 16 and 33 in the Westwood and Ravensthorpe areas would be asked to provide a mouth swab.

Police have forensic evidence from the attack to compare with any DNA samples.

The woman was grabbed from behind as she walked and was knocked out.

Behavioural profiling

Medical tests later proved she had been raped.

Her attacker is described as white, aged between 19 and 23, 5ft 9in (1.75m) tall and of medium build.

He was wearing a white baseball cap, a light-coloured zip-up top and light-coloured bottoms.

The spokesman said the decision to carry out mass DNA screening followed consultation with officers from the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) who have carried out geographical and behavioural profiling.

He said that the DNA samples would only be used for the purpose of the rape investigation, and would not be kept once the inquiry was over.

Det Insp Simon Harding said: "We have forensic evidence from the attack which can be compared to the samples we will now be taking from men in Peterborough.

"I would urge people to help by providing us with their DNA sample when asked."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the rape investigation team on 0845 456 4564.