A RAPE investigation has been launched after an incident in Southampton city centre.

A 17-year-old girl told police she was assaulted during the early hours of Friday morning.

A cordon was set up at Houndwell Park in the city centre and a number of officers were at the scene throughout Friday morning.

The children’s play area in Houndwell Park was completely taped off while specialist police units carried out an inspection of the

area.

However, after initial enquiries other locations are being looked at, and no-one has been arrested.

A police spokesperson said: “We continue to investigate the report of a rape against a 17-year-old girl that happened in the early hours of this morning (August 30).

“Following initial enquiries, we no longer believe the offence took place in Houndwell Park. As such, the park is no longer cordoned off. Enquiries are ongoing to ascertain the exact circumstances of what happened.”

Cabinet Member for a healthier and safer city, Cllr Dave Shields said: “It’s a horrible incident and obviously we do not want to see this kind of thing happening in Southampton.

“I have been discussing the issue with police and residents and it is something we are all very concerned about.”

Earlier in the month an unconnected investigation was launched after a 19-year-old woman said she was raped in Northam.

Police cordoned off a wooded area in the park between Summers Street and Union Road following the incident on August 12.

As reported by the Daily Echo, women in the city had previously called for action to be taken after a 26-year-old was raped in Hoglands Park.

It was reported that women in Southampton said they do not feel safe enough to walk through parks across the city and had called for increased police patrols.

Anyone with any information can call 101 quoting crime reference number 44190308164.