Urgent meeting sought over rapes

An urgent meeting with police is being sought by politicians following another rape in south Belfast.

A 22-year-old woman was attacked at University Street in the early hours of Wednesday.

Meanwhile, a 32-year-old man has been charged over a separate attack in south Belfast on Monday morning.

The alleged serious sexual assault happened in the Boucher Road area of the city.

Sinn Fein MLA Alex Maskey said he had already spoken with the police after the University Street incident and was seeking a further meeting.

The SDLP's Carmel Hanna said the attack was the latest such incident.

"I understand that this is the latest in a long sequence of 'stranger rape' cases on a young woman who was unfamiliar with the university area," she said.

"This is the beginning of the academic year, the nights are drawing in rapidly and there is a lot of transient population movement around the university area at this time.

"Incidents like this are getting out of hand and I will be seeking an early meeting with the south Belfast PSNI commander on this and preceding cases."

'Recent increase'

Mr Maskey said the problem had to be tackled "head on".

"I have spoken with the PSNI this evening expressing my concern at the recent increase in sex attacks in the south of the city," he said.

"I am seeking a further meeting with them on the issue and how best the community can collectively tackle increasing levels of attack in this part of the city."

Police investigating the attack want to speak to a black taxi driver who may have picked up a man and woman in Donegall Square and took them to the University Street area.

A police spokesperson said the incident took place at about 0300 BST on Wednesday.

Anyone with information has been asked to contact detectives on 028 90700305 or they can pass on information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.