Six men arrested after 14-year-old girl raped

Six men have been arrested after a 14-year-old girl was raped in Rochdale.

Shortly after 1:15pm on Friday 31 July 2015, a report was made to police that a 14-year-old girl who been reported missing from Rochdale the previous day had been found and that she had been the victim of sexual abuse.

It was later established that she had been the victim of rape.

The girl, who had been moved into an independent care home in Rochdale by a local authority from another part of the country, was reported missing from the home on Saturday 1 August and was found by police officers in Rochdale the following day.

Officers were told that the girl had been taken to an address in Rochdale and raped by a group of men.

Police are now investigating the possibility that the two incidents are linked and have arrested six men on suspicion of rape.

All of the men have since been bailed until 29 October 2015 pending further enquiries.

Specially trained officers are currently working with the victim and providing her with support from other specialist agencies.

Detective Inspector Paul Copplestone of GMP’s Serious Sexual Offences Unit said: “We have made significant progress in the investigation and have so far arrested six people who have since been bailed and at this stage I would like to stress that we do not believe there to be a threat to anyone else in Rochdale.

“Our key priority is ensuring that the victim is fully supported during this extremely traumatic time.

“I want to assure the people of Rochdale and the rest of Greater Manchester that tackling offences of this nature remains a top priority for Greater Manchester Police and we will continue to do everything in our power to prevent the sexual exploitation of children whilst also providing support to the victims.”