Teenager raped by boys in British park

Vicky O'Hare:

A TEENAGE girl was attacked and raped by two boys in a Basingstoke park.

The 16-year-old had arranged to meet three youths at the War Memorial Park on Tuesday, August 29.

She met the boys, aged between 14 and 16, at about 11pm and had a short conversation with them.

Police say, at that stage, there was no suggestion anything out of the ordinary would happen.

However, she was then set upon by the boys, physically assaulted and raped by two of them.

Police believe the gang - who are from the London area - left the park via the entrance near to the bandstand and headed towards the town centre.

It is thought that the boys may have gone towards the railway station and boarded a train to Reading or London.

The girl immediately reported the attack to police.

An area of the park, near Hackwood Road, was cordoned off and specialist search teams combed the area for clues.

A forensic team also carried out searches at the site.

The police cordon was not lifted until about 5pm on Wednesday, August 30.

Detective Constable Tim Chappell, of Basingstoke CID, said: "This was a horrendous attack on a young girl.

"She has been left distraught by the incident."

Det Con Chappell is keen to speak to anyone who was in the park at the time and may have seen the 16-year-old girl with three black boys.

He is also appealing for anyone who saw three black youngsters running or walking away from the park, towards the town centre, to get in touch.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Det Con Chappell, at Basingstoke CID, on 0845 045 4545.

Poor girl.