Woman sought as witness in rape investigation

Detectives investigating the false imprisonment of a woman and the rapes of a boy and a teenage girl in Haslingden are appealing to trace a woman they are treating as a potentially key witness.

As part of police enquiries, they need to speak to a woman who is believed to have talked with a man at a bus stop on Broadway, Haslingden at around 10:40am on Sunday 5th May. They both got on the X41 bus, which travelled from Accrington to Manchester. They sat separately.

Officers launched an investigation after a report that a woman had been falsely imprisoned and a girl and a boy sexually assaulted at an address in Haslingden. The incident happened at about 8am on Sunday 5th May. A 34-year-old man was later arrested in Cheshire.

DCI Zoe Russo from Lancashire’s Force Major Investigation Team said:

• You can call us on 101 or you can reach independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org. Log reference 541 5th May.

• Joseph McCann, 34, of Aylesbury, has been charged with a number of offences.