Police search for four men after woman raped in early morning city centre attack
The suspects are Asian and aged in their twenties or thirties, according to the victim.
Detectives have released images of four men they want to speak to in relation to a serious sexual offence in the centre of Bristol.
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A woman was raped in the centre of the city at around 3am last weekend.
In response, Avon and Somerset Police have launched additional high-visibility patrols in the centre of Bristol over the past week and the bank holiday weekend.
Officers arrived on the scene eight minutes after the assault, and the victim told police that the suspects were Asian and aged in their twenties or thirties.
Detectives are investigating the incident and have used forensics as well as CCTV and security footage to produce images of four men they want to speak with in relation to the crime.
They said that CCTV footage indicates the men were in East Bristol between 3:30 and 4am on Sunday 29 March.
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Detective Chief Inspector Mark Almond said: “The first officers attended the scene within eight minutes of this rape offence being reported to us and helped to take the victim to a place of safety.
“Her welfare has been of paramount importance to us. We will ensure she has the support she needs, not only now, but in the days and weeks ahead.
“Since Sunday a large number of investigative enquiries have taken place, including fast-track forensics analysis and reviewing security and CCTV footage.
“Further lines of enquiry are being followed up, and while those are ongoing, we hope there will be people who can help us identify these four men.
“They were not on the scene when police arrived, but were seen in the city centre on the night in question. We believe based off of our CCTV enquiries they then headed towards the eastern part of the city at about 3.30-4am on Sunday.”
He added: "People will be understandably shocked and upset to learn of this awful crime.
"Rape offences where the suspect is unknown to the victim are not common and we wish to reassure everyone this is being treated with the utmost seriousness.
"Extra high-visibility patrols in the city centre have been carried out this week and these will continue across the bank holiday weekend."
Anyone with relevant information should call 101 and quote reference number 5226085769, or log number 95 of 29 March.