The horrific attack occurred just weeks after the city’s bus station was identified as “the place most feared by women at night”.

A man has been charged with raping a woman at Preston Bus Station at the weekend.

Police were called to the bus station at 6.46am on Saturday, and the men’s toilets were cordoned off for investigation.

CCTV covers every corner of Preston Bus Station - and security officers are also in place | Iconic Media

placeholder image — CCTV covers every corner of Preston Bus Station - and security officers are also in place | Iconic Media

Lancashire Police said a man, 20, was later arrested and has since been charged.

Abisalom Tesfai, of Wildman Street, Preston, is charged with two counts of rape. He has been remanded into custody to appear before Preston Magistrates’ Court.

Lancashire Police are asking anyone who witnessed or recorded anything suspicious in the area between 5.30am and 6.30am on Saturday, April 18, to call 101 quoting log 284 of April 18, 2026.