DETECTIVES are investigating an allegation of rape in the area surrounding York station.

The British Transport Police (BTP) said the victim, a woman in her 20s, was allegedly assaulted by a man in an alleyway leading to York station yesterday afternoon (September 13).

A cordon was in place near the Europcar entrance last night but has moved to an area outside the nearby York Railway Institute sports centre. Police vans and officers were still at the scene this morning.

The BTP said a number of immediate inquiries are already underway, including seizing CCTV evidence and identifying any witnesses.

It confirmed that no arrests have been made.

Detective Inspector Granville Sellers, from the BTP, said: “This would have been a very distressing incident for the victim and we have specially trained officers providing her with support.

“A number of urgent lines of inquiry are underway and I am today appealing for witnesses to this incident to get in touch. If you were near York station yesterday afternoon and saw anyone acting suspiciously, please get in touch as soon as possible.

“Thankfully incidents like this are incredibly rare and a full and thorough investigation is now underway to find the person responsible.”

Anyone with information should contact BTP by sending a text to 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 578 of September 13.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.