01 January 2024 , 10:26
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Five teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of rape after a girl was sexually assaulted in an alleyway close to a memorial garden.
Police were called to the incident off St Mary's Memorial Gardens in Nottinghamshire at around 7.45pm on December 28. The two youngest boys arrested in connection to the incident are 14-years old.
Officers are continuing to investigate and have been questioning a 16-year-old boy who was arrested on suspicion of rape on December 30. The following day four more boys, aged 14, 14, 15 and 16, were arrested on suspicion of rape.
Nottinghamshire Police said they are continuing to support the girl's family at this time. Detective Inspector Stuart Barson, who is leading the investigation, said: "Our officers are continuing to support the victim and her family in every way we can following this distressing incident.
"We also understand the impact an incident of this nature can have on the wider community so multiple police teams are working hard to ensure support is there for anyone who needs it. We hope people living in the area are reassured by our robust response and the increase in high-visibility patrols we have put in place since Thursday night.
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"Thankfully, incidents like this are extremely rare and as a force we will never tolerate violence against women and girls. Members of the victim's family have been informed of the latest developments and I am pleased we now have a total of five suspects in custody.
"However, this remains an ongoing investigation and anyone with any information which could help our inquiries should get in touch immediately."
Nottinghamshire Police has urged anyone with information to call 101, quoting incident number 666 of December 28, 2023. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.