POLICE have released pictures of 13 "key witnesses" they believe could help in a Southampton rape investigation.
Officers investigating the rape of an 18-year-old, at Riverside Park, say the people pictured could help in the search for their suspect.
They say all 13 people are on a U1 bus, which stopped outside Montefiore Halls on Wessex Lane at around 11.30pm on December 2.
The victim was raped in Riverside Park around the same time and had walked along Wessex Lane and into Woodmill Lane prior to the attack.
Police believe the people on the U1 bus are possibly students at the University of Southampton and may have seen something prior to the incident.
Officers also want to find the woman in image number 13 who is seen outside Sainsbury’s on Burgess Road at 11.15pm on December 2.
Police believe she was followed by the rapist prior to his attack on the victim.
Detective Inspector Roger Wood said: “These people are seen to get off the bus at the time we believe the suspect is in the area and for that reason we need to speak to them.
"The woman in image 13 is captured outside Sainsbury’s on Burgess Road prior to the offence.
"We are working with the University to identify these people.
"They may have seen something significant to the investigation so it is imperative we trace them.
“If you know any of the people pictured or you recognise yourself here, please call 101 and quote or Operation Scorch.”
Detectives previously released CCTV footage of a man outside Sainsbury’s on Burgess Road about 15 minutes before the woman was raped.
He is seen on CCTV to follow another woman down to Woodmill Lane first, that woman is seen in image number 13.
Several people pictured here then get off the bus on Wessex Lane.
The man then appears to follow the 18-year-old woman instead.
Police say a previous appeal for help to identify this man is still live and no-one has been arrested at this time.
DI Roger Wood added: “We have reviewed hundreds of hours of CCTV to try and identify this man, and key witnesses.
"We believe these people could be key witnesses, you are not in any trouble but you could help us progress this investigation, so please get in touch.”
Anyone with information is asked to call 101 and quote Operation Scorch.
Alternatively, you can make a report by going to the following link https://mipp.police.uk/operation/44HC18W09-PO1.
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