Male Arrested

A man has been arrested after a woman was raped in Northallerton 

We were called at 1.17am yesterday (Thursday) to reports that a woman had been sexually assaulted at a house in the town.

An enquiry was launched which resulted in a 26-year-old man from County Durham being arrested.

He was detained during a high-profile search of the area by a significant number of officers yesterday evening and he currently remains in custody.

A man in his 40s and a man in his 20s were also arrested in connection with the investigation yesterday morning.

They have now been released with no further action following full enquiries and eliminated from the investigation.

The victim is being offered specialist support following the incident.

Inspector Rory Sadler, of Hambleton Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “This has been a hugely distressing incident for the victim and has caused alarm in the wider community.

"It's been a fast-moving investigation and there will continue to be a visible police presence in the area to reassure concerned residents.

“I’d like to provide some clarity about rumours circulating in the community. A white British man from the Durham area has been arrested in connection with this incident. I’m aware there is some speculation about links to a separate burglary in the Hambleton area. However, I can confirm police are treating these incidents as unrelated.

“I’d also stress that the incident in Northallerton is isolated and we are not looking for anyone else as part of our investigation.”