Police arrest 30-year-old man accused of raping schoolgirl, 14, in shopping centre at 9am on New Year’s Day
- The 14-year-old schoolgirl was approached at 9am on New Year's Day in Burnley
- The attack took place near the car park for the Charter Walk shopping centre
- Man believed to have left the shopping centre in the direction of Church Street
A man has been arrested on suspicion of raping a teenage schoolgirl on New Year's Day.
A 30-year-old from Nelson, Lancashire is in police custody following the incident, which allegedly took place near a shopping centre in Burnley at around 9am.
Detectives launched the investigation after the girl came forward to speak about her ordeal.
She was allegedly approached and assaulted by a man at the bottom of some steps close to the car park of the Charter Walk shopping centre.
The Charter Walk shopping centre in the centre of Burnley. The attack allegedly took place near its car park
The man is believed to have left the shopping centre in the direction of Church Street, according to detectives
Detective Inspector Tim McDermott said: 'We would like to reassure the public that incidents of this type are rare and we have a number of officers working on the enquiry.
'The girl is being supported by specially trained officers and I would appeal to anyone who was in that area this morning and saw anything they think relevant to contact us immediately.'
Anyone with information is asked to call Lancashire Constabulary on 101 quoting log number 913 of 1 January.
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