Police update after 15-year-old arrested for attempted rape at knife-point in Belle Isle, Leeds
Police have issued an update following the attempted rape of a woman at knife-point in south Leeds.
Officers were initially called at around 10.50am on Monday, December 8, after a woman walking along the pathway between Old Run View and West Grange Road in Belle Isle was approached by four masked men on two e-bikes.
One of the men placed a knife against her neck before she was sexually assaulted. All four men, who were wearing black clothing and black balaclavas, then fled the scene. A 15-year-old boy was later arrested on suspicion of attempted rape.
He has now been released on “conditional bail pending continuing enquiries,” a West Yorkshire Police spokesperson has confirmed. Officers from Leeds District Safeguarding are continuing to appeal to anyone with information that could assist the ongoing investigation to please come forward.
The offence follows five other incidents of harassment or assault reported to police and believed to be racially aggravated, which have taken place against the same victim in and around the same area over the past month. It is believed that the same group of males were involved on all occasions.
These earlier incidents all took place at around 9am or in the early afternoon with the first incident taking place between 3pm and 3.30pm on Wednesday, November 12.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police by calling 101 or online via the 101LiveChat quoting reference 13250703697. Alternatively, call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.