A WOMAN has come forward to help detectives investigating a rape in Bournemouth town centre.

She approached police after a CCTV appeal was issued by officers investigating the attack in Norwich Road in the early hours of Sunday December 1.

Two men arrested in connection with the incident have been released without charge. A third man has been questioned and released on police bail.

Dorset Police received a report at 4.37am on December 1 that a woman in her 30s had been raped around 40 minutes earlier.

The victim, who is believed to have met the offender earlier that night, continues to be supported by specially-trained officers as detectives investigate the incident.

A 33-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of rape and a 35-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender have now been released without charge. A 31-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of rape has been released on police bail.

As part of their enquiries, detectives issued a CCTV appeal featuring images of potential witnesses that they wanted to speak to who were in the area of The Xchange bar in The Triangle at the relevant time.

Following the appeal, a woman has now come forward and is assisting with the investigation.

Detectives are still keen to identify a man who was seen in the area at the time and the driver of a Fiat 500 that was also in the vicinity.

Detective Sergeant Jon Sainsbury, of Bournemouth CID, said: “I would like to thank the woman who came forward and would urge those who we are still looking to identify to do the same.

“Again, I would like to stress that these are individuals we are looking to speak to purely as witnesses as they may have important information to assist our investigation.”

Information to Dorset Police on 101, quoting occurrence number 55190189047, or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers lineon0800 555 111.