Detectives are investigating an allegation of a serious sexual offence in Liverpool City Centre in the early hours of Thursday 23 March.
At around 2.10am, officers were called to Brownlow Hill to reports of a concern for the safety of a female. Two men, aged 19 and 21, were detained at the scene.
Both men been arrested on suspicion of rape and taken to custody for questioning.
The victim is being supported by specialist officers.
We remain at the scene to carry out enquiries, and a cordon remains in place on Mount Pleasant.
Detective Inspector Paul McVeigh said: “Two men are in custody as we look to investigate this serious sexual offence. The victim is being closely supported as our enquiries continue.
“I’d urge anyone who was in the area of Mount Pleasant at around 2am this morning and saw anything suspicious, or who was passing in a car, taxi or any vehicle to check their footage.
“We understand the concern that such incidents cause in our communities, so come forward with any information and we will take action.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives via @MerPolCC or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, with reference 23000245114.
If you want to report a sexual offence allegation, please call 101 where you will be spoken to by specially trained officers, or you can pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Support for victims is also available through the registered charity the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre Cheshire and Merseyside, who can be contacted on 01925 221 546 or 0330 363 0063 or Rape and Sexual Assault Merseyside (RASA) on 0151 558 1801.
For women who have felt or feel unsafe in public spaces the Home Office has set up a pilot service StreetSafe | Police.uk (www.police.uk) for anyone to anonymously report public places where they have felt or feel unsafe, because of environmental issues, eg street lighting, abandoned buildings or vandalism and/or because of some behaviours, e.g. being followed or verbally abused. Please note: ‘StreetSafe’ is not for reporting crime or incidents.
Report online: If you’d like to report online, rather than speaking to an officer by telephone in the first instance, you can use our online crime reporting service which is secure and confidential. All reports made using this service are reviewed by our 24/7 contact centre within a few hours and an officer will get back to you in a maximum of two days (although usually quicker).