Police have ramped up high-visibility patrols in response to a reported serious sexual assault that occurred in an alleyway off St Mary’s Memorial Gardens in Newark at approximately 7.45pm on Thursday, December 28, 2023.

Detective Inspector Stuart Barson, representing Nottinghamshire Police, has stressed that incidents of this nature are exceedingly rare but acknowledged their significant impact on public concern. The police are treating this as an isolated occurrence and have assembled an extensive team to lead the investigation.

Specialist officers are currently providing support to the victim and her family during this difficult period. To address the incident, there has been an increase in police presence in the vicinity, aimed at reassuring the local community.

DI Stuart Barson has urged the public to approach officers with any concerns or information they may have. He has also appealed to potential witnesses who might have observed anything suspicious or individuals acting unusually in the area around the time of the incident to come forward and assist with the investigation.

Furthermore, the police are actively seeking any available CCTV or dash-cam footage that could provide valuable insights into their inquiries. DI Barson has underscored the importance of public vigilance and encouraged individuals to promptly report anything they find unusual.

Anyone possessing information pertinent to the ongoing investigation is urged to contact Nottinghamshire Police at 101, quoting incident number 666 of December 28, 2023. Alternatively, individuals can choose to provide information anonymously to Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.