Rape suspect 'seen running away'

The rape suspect is believed to be a foreign national

Detectives investigating the rape of a 16-year-old girl have spotted a man running away from the scene on CCTV footage provided by local businesses.

The man fits the description of the rapist, who attacked the girl on the borders of Ash in Surrey and Aldershot, Hampshire, on 21 May.

The footage shows a man dressed in dark clothing sprinting away from the scene near Ivy Road recreation ground.

He ran down Ivy Road towards North Lane and through the Focus DIY car park.

Surrey Police want to trace any witnesses who may have seen him, particularly the driver of a Renault Megane hatchback which turned right out of the car park into Ivy Road at about 1620 BST on 21 May.

They also want to trace a man who was standing next to a light-coloured van by the entrance to the car park.

Local knowledge

At about the same time, a small red sports car was seen driving up Ivy Road towards North Lane. Police believe the driver may have seen the suspect.

"This man was leaving the area at the same time as the victim was calling 999," said Det Insp Fran Breslin.

"We believe he must have had local knowledge to take the route that he did.

"He seems to be running for a purpose rather than just [being] out for a jog and members of the public may have noticed this as unusual."

Police said they were grateful for the help of businesses in the Fairfax, Christy and North Town industrial estates who had provided CCTV footage.

A spokeswoman said it was being enhanced and may be released to the public at a later date.

The suspect - believed to be a foreign national - is aged between 20 and 25, 5ft 6in tall, of slim build, with short dark hair, brown eyes, tanned skin and a distinctive scar on his right cheek.

He was wearing a gold hooped earring, black jeans, black trainers or shoes and a black T-shirt with a white circular motif on the front.