A man in his twenties has been arrested on suspicion of rape following an incident in Oswestry town centre that led to part of the area being closed while police carried out their initial investigation.
West Mercia Police confirmed that the man is currently in custody following a report of rape in the town centre during the early hours of Saturday, 29 August. Officers said the incident took place in an alleyway close to Leg Street at around 4.30am.
The arrest was linked to the closure of Star Passage, the route connecting the corner of Leg Street and Church Street with Bailey Street. The passage was closed to allow officers to examine the area and carry out enquiries following the reported incident.
West Mercia Police said officers were called after receiving a report concerning an alleged rape and confirmed that a man in his twenties had subsequently been arrested. He remains in custody while enquiries continue.
The force said the investigation is still at an early stage and that officers remain in the area as they work to establish the circumstances surrounding what happened.
Detective Sergeant Jane Harding said specialist teams are supporting the victim while police continue their investigation.
“We are in the early stages of this investigation. Officers are in the area as enquiries continue and specialist teams are supporting the victim,” she said.
Police are now appealing to anyone who may have information that could assist the investigation to come forward. This could include anyone who was in or around Oswestry town centre during the early hours of Saturday morning and may have seen or heard anything relevant.
Detective Sergeant Harding urged anyone with information to contact her directly on 01905 973762 or by email at jane.harding@westmercia.police.uk.
The investigation remains ongoing, and police have not provided further details about the circumstances of the alleged offence or the relationship, if any, between the people involved.
An arrest on suspicion of rape does not mean that a person has been charged or found guilty of an offence. The investigation will continue as officers gather evidence and establish the full circumstances of the incident.
The temporary closure of Star Passage caused disruption in Oswestry town centre as officers conducted their enquiries. Police have thanked members of the public for their patience while the investigation continues.
Anyone who witnessed suspicious activity around Leg Street, Church Street, Bailey Street or Star Passage at approximately 4.30am on Saturday 29 August is being encouraged to contact West Mercia Police, even if they are unsure whether what they saw is relevant. Information from witnesses, CCTV footage and other evidence can potentially help officers establish a clearer timeline of events.
For Nigerians living in Oswestry, Shropshire and across the UK, local crime and public safety developments can have a direct impact on everyday life, particularly for families, students, workers and business owners who regularly use town centres. At Chijos News, we are committed to keeping the Nigerian diaspora informed about important developments in the communities where they live, work and raise their families, providing responsible coverage of UK crime, community safety and other issues that matter to Nigerians across Britain.