A man was reportedly raped by another man on a Liverpool city centre street.
Police received a report just before 5am on Friday about the incident on Temple Lane, off Victoria Street, in the heart of the city’s LGBTQ+ quarter.
The victim is being supported by specialist officers.
Officers remain at the scene to carry out enquiries, and a cordon remains in place on Temple Lane and Victoria Street.
Detective Sergeant Rebecca Robinson said: “We are in the early stages of the investigation and the victim is being closely supported as our enquiries continue.
“I’d urge anyone who was in the area of Temple Lane at around 5am 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 should contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or on Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’. You can also report information via their website. or call 101 quoting with reference 25000611851.
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.
Anyone with information or wants to report a sexual offence is asked to call 101 where you will be spoken to by specially trained officers or you can pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, always call 999.
If you have been a victim of sexual assault or rape, you can access specialist support services, which are free of charge and available to anyone.
You do not need a referral or to have reported an incident to Merseyside Police before you access these specialist support services.
These services can support you in a variety of ways, including offering a confidential discussion if you are thinking of making a police report, but are unsure what that involves and would like to discuss it.
If you do decide to report to Merseyside Police, you will receive support throughout the investigation and court processes.
You can choose to make an anonymous report through the Sexual Assault Referral Centre called Safe Place, or the Independent Sexual Violence Advisor service, rather than coming directly to Merseyside Police.
With no police involvement, a specialist doctor at Safe Place can examine you to check that you are ok and look for DNA evidence, which they will store to support your case. This gives you the option of making a formal police report at a later time, if you choose to.
Support is also available in Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral, from Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (RASA) Merseyside who are available on 0151 558 1801 and, in St Helens and Knowsley, by the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) Cheshire and Merseyside who can be contacted on 01925 221 546 or 0330 363 0063.
If you do not require immediate police assistance then you can report rape and sexual assault via Merseyside Police’s website here.
Support is also available through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Victim Care Merseyside service: https://www.victimcaremerseyside.org/
Alternatively, you can report a sexual offence by calling 101 or you can pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, always call 999.