Police praise group of men who stopped alleged attempted rape of 17-year-old girl

Police have praised a group of men who stopped the attempted rape of a teenage girl, holding the suspect until officers arrived to arrest him.

The men disturbed the attacker as he allegedly tried to rape a 17-year-old girl in a car park in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester.

They chased the suspect and held him until police could arrive.

Greater Manchester Police said officers were called at 10.35pm on Friday by members of the public who had detained the man at the car park near to Stamford Street in Ashton.

A 23-year-old man is being questioned by police.

Detective Inspector Karl Ward, from Greater Manchester Police (GMP), said: “First of all, my thoughts are with the girl who was victim to this terrifying attack, she is getting specialist support and we will continue to help her get through this horrible ordeal.

“Secondly, I would like to take my hat off to the group of men who intervened, stopped the attack, then gave chase so police were able to make an arrest.

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“This is a great example of the police & public working together to stop crime, and I am extremely thankful to them for their assistance.

“We are still appealing for further witnesses however, so if anyone saw anything that might help the police investigation we would really like to hear from you.”