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Woman raped in city centre attack
A woman was raped after being dragged into a car and driven around Preston city centre.
The 21-year-old became separated from her friends on a night out and was walking home alone along Church Street about 11.20pm on Thursday, when the man struck.
He approached her from a large, dark car on a side street, thought to be Grimshaw Street, and forced her into the front passenger seat.
The man drove to the Winckley Square area and sexually assaulted her.
He then drove along Chapel Street and let her out of the car around the junction with Church Street.
Acting Detective Inspector Warren Atkinson of Lancashire police said: "I would appeal to anyone who may have seen a lone woman walking along Church Street and talking to a black man in the vicinity of a dark coloured saloon car in the area of Grimshaw Street around 11.20pm on Thursday to contact police.
"It may have appeared to onlookers that they were observing a couple having an argument or disagreement.
"I would also like to speak with anybody who may have seen a dark coloured car in the same area and particularly anybody who thinks they may have seen this young woman getting into the car. This vehicle was seen to reverse against the flow of traffic along Church Street."
The attacker is described as black, in his 20s, about 5ft 10in and slim.
He had short black hair in corn rows.
He is also believed to have a Manchester accent and was smartly dressed, wearing a beige-coloured top.
He dropped off a second man who was in the back of the car shortly before the rape took place. That man was black with short black hair and a Manchester accent.
Anybody with any information should contact police on 01772 203203 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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