A YOUNG woman aged 19 has been raped in Southampton City Centre.

It happened at the weekend in or around the West Quay Retail Park area at about 1am on Sunday morning.

Details were not released until last night.

Now police are appealing for witnesses to the incident.

Detectives want to hear from anyone who was The victim was grabbed and raped near the Staples store as she walked home from a night out in LeisureWorld.

An area of the retail park was closed off by police on Sunday as forensic officers conducted a thorough examination of the scene.

Det Insp Liz Williams said police need to hear from anyone who might be able to help their investigation.

"Incidents such as these are rare in our city.

"However, when they do happen we take them very seriously and are thoroughly investigating this attack," she said.

"I am now appealing for any witnesses who saw the attack or a man fitting the description hanging about the area around the time of the incident to contact us."

The description of the attacker was that he is white in his mid-20s with a shaved bald head.

He had a muscular but slim build, and was wearing a dark blue short-sleeved top and jeans.

Anyone with information should call Shirley CID on 0845 045 4545, or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.