Woman in her 20s is ‘raped’ in shopping centre car park in Bournemouth with man arrested

A WOMAN in her 20s has allegedly been raped at a shopping centre car park in a horror early morning attack.

Cops were frantically called after the woman said she'd been sexually assaulted at the Bournemouth centre yesterday.

There they arrested a 37-year-old man on suspicion of rape. 

Dorset Police quickly taped off the Sovereign Centre car park as they continued probing the alleged crime.

The force said the man who is being quizzed is known to the woman.

It added: “Dorset Police received a report at 5.51am on Thursday 31 August 2023 that a woman had been raped in the Sovereign Centre car park in Christchurch Road in Boscombe. 

“The victim – a woman aged in her 20s – is being supported by officers. 

“Officers attended and following enquiries at the scene, a 37-year-old man from Bournemouth has been arrested on suspicion of rape. 

“An investigation is underway into the incident and officers will be speaking to the victim to establish a full account of what happened. 

“A cordon is in place to allow for an examination of the area to be carried out. 

“The arrested man and the victim are known to each other. There is no wider risk to the public and officers can be approached by anyone with any concerns.” 

The Sovereign Centre said: “We are aware of an incident in the Sovereign Shopping Centre car park earlier today and are working closely with the police to support their ongoing enquiries.

"We can confirm that the shopping centre remains open to customers.”

It comes after concerned locals said Bournemouth was being ruined by crime - and that something needed to change.