Teenage girl is raped at nature reserve as police arrest man, 21

A man was yesterday arrested on suspicion of rape after a teenage girl was attacked at a nature reserve during Friday rush hour.

Officers arrested the 21-year-old, from Bordon, Hampshire, in the early hours of Sunday morning and took him into custody where he remains being quizzed by detectives.

He was also arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place. 

Hampshire Constabulary said it received a report that a teenage girl had been raped  on Friday September 27 at 9am in the Deadwater Valley area, in between Branson Road, Maple Leaf Drive and Chalet Hill.

The force said the male was unknown to her and the girl and her family are continuing to receive specialist support. 

Detective Superintendent Andrea Douglas, who is leading the investigation, said: 'We fully appreciate how concerning this incident will be to residents of Bordon but I want to reassure you that we are taking this report extremely seriously and utilising our force assets to ensure our communities are safe.

'Firstly, the girl and her family are being supported by our specialist teams and we are continuing to do everything we can to ensure we carry out a thorough investigation.

'Our Eastern Operation Amberstone unit, which specialises in rape and serious assault investigations, continues to work tirelessly to establish the circumstances of what happened.

'This morning, as part of our enquiries, a 21-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident and remains in custody at this time.

'We are still keen to hear from anyone who may have information which may help with our investigation.

'We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who was in the Deadwater Valley area, in between Branson Road, Maple Leaf Drive and Chalet Hill between 8am and 9am on Friday morning.

'Were you in the area? Did you witness any suspicious behaviour? Do you have any information which could help our investigation?

'Officers will continue to carry out visible dedicated patrols in the area as we conduct a number of enquiries. I ask that if you have any concerns, please come and speak to one of our patrolling officers.

'If you have any information that could assist our investigation, no matter how small it may seem, please call us on 101 quoting reference number 44240419627.'

A 17-year-old boy from Bordon, who was arrested on suspicion of rape and possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, has been released on bail.