Audio By Carbonatix
A boy was raped at a department store in Manchester after being taken from a lift by two men, police have said.
The 14-year-old had been going to the toilets in the Arndale Centre, near the entrance of Aldi and Subway, when he was approached by the men.
After threatening the boy, they led him to a nearby Debenhams, where one of them assaulted him in a toilet.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has released CCTV of two men they want to trace after the attack on 2 June.
Manchester Central MP Mr Tony Lloyd has questioned why there had been a two month delay in releasing details about the attack.
'Horrific attack'
"Everyone knows there are no easy decisions in a case like this but it really does raise important questions about public safety," he said.
"It does seem that the earlier the public are made aware of the danger and the possible identity of the attackers then the more likely they will be able to prevent future attacks and help the police arrest those involved."
In response, Det Sgt Liam Boden, of North Manchester CID, said CCTV images of the suspects were "criculated immediately after the offence" to businesses and neighbourhood officers.
"In addition, we sent off evidence for forensic analysis, but when that proved negative we took the decision to immediately publicise the images," he said.
"This young victim has been absolutely devastated by what happened to him."
Police said one of the attackers was Asian and one white, and the marched the boy out of the Arndale Centre at about 17:45 BST.
The victim was told by one of the men: "Come with us, do what we say and if you try to run we'll get you."
He was taken upstairs in the lift in Debenhams and marched to a toilet where he was raped by the Asian man.
GMP said the traumatised victim had contacted police after the assault and had been supported by specially-trained officers.
Those officers have spent the past two months working with the boy to build up a picture of what happened and have been waiting for forensic results before deciding to issue an appeal, a spokesman said.
Supt Stuart Ellison said: "When you think about a 14-year-old out in the city centre at that time of the evening, when the footfall is pretty heavy and there are a lot of people about, the fact that someone could be marched across the street and into a store in this way is pretty horrific."
'Isolated case'
But Mr Ellison said such attacks were very rare and police had no other reports of any similar incident since June.
A Debenhams spokeswoman said: "We were shocked to hear about this incident and would like to reassure everyone this is an isolated case."
She said that following the assault the store had carried out regular toilet checks and briefed the cleaners to report any suspicious activity as well as putting the camera of the entrance to the toilets on a permanent monitor in the CCTV control room.
Anyone with information is asked to call North Manchester CID or Crimestoppers.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
3 suspects arrested in Akatsi in robbery crackdown
14 minutes -
The Probe to discuss widespread power outages
19 minutes -
Energy Minister to address public on developments in electricity sector on April 27
27 minutes -
Armwrestling: Africa’s best pullers converge in Accra for a Super Showdown
30 minutes -
Ashanti ECG leadership hit by major shake-up amid intermittent power cuts
1 hour -
 Ghana’s new AI strategy: Bold vision, effective implementation holds the Key
1 hour -
Energy Minister orders GRIDCo CEO to step aside pending probe into Akosombo substation fire
1 hour -
Water crisis deepens in Savelugu as changing weather patterns worsen shortages
2 hours -
Mineworkers Union rejects reported contract mining directive for Newmont, AngloGold, Zijin
3 hours -
Cocoa farmers’ average 61% share of world price inadequate — Policy consultant
3 hours -
Ghana not obliged to implement IMF advice on cocoa sector reforms – Nick Opoku
3 hours -
East Mamprusi MCE to engage Gbintri stakeholders over market revenue collection suspension
3 hours -
14 honoured for excellence in weather and climate leadership Across Africa
3 hours -
African meteorological community celebrates launch of new continental journal
3 hours -
ECOWAS condemns terrorist attacks in Mali, calls for regional unity
3 hours