Local police are to appear on BBC’s Crimewatch tonight, to appeal for further information following a New Year’s Day sex attack.
Detective Inspector Jo Dent, of Morecambe CID, will make the appeal on the show, which will air on BBC 1 tonight. (Weds). The appeal follows an incident on New Year’s Day, when a woman was raped after meeting her attacker in the town’s Coast venue.
Viewers will be shown footage of the alleged offender, who was in pirate fancy dress. He was wearing a “Tina Turner” style wig, a pirate eye patch, striped trousers and a red jacket with dark coloured shoulders and white stripes across the shoulders and down the sleeves. It is believed he may have had a foreign accent – possibly Eastern European.
Above: A still from CCTV footage of a suspect being sought in connection with a sex attack in Morecambe on New Year’s Day. The suspect is shown above the blurred square on the screen (the blur is concealing the victim).
DI Jo Dent said: “We have had some information from the public, but we are hoping that the Crimewatch appeal will help persuade more people to come forward.
“We are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen this male on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day – or anyone who may know who he is.”
She added: “Incidents like this are rare in Morecambe and I want to reassure residents that we have a dedicated team working on the case, who are committed to solving this crime.”
• Anyone with any information is asked to call Morecambe police in 01254 63333 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.