POLICE believe a teenage girl may have been raped in a city centre.

The incident, involving a 17-year-old, was reported outside the Arizona bar in Sunderland at 3.35am on Saturday (May 10).

Officers attended and following initial enquiries it is thought she may have been the victim of a suspected rape or sexual offence.

Police are keen to speak to anyone who helped a female look for a mobile phone she had lost in a lane next to the Arizona bar between 3am and 3.30am.

It is thought that a taxi driver in a red or burgundy hatchback stopped to offer help and police are keen for him to get in contact.

A man has been arrested in connection with the incident.

Chief Superintendent Kay Blyth, of Northumbria Police, said: "We take incidents of this nature extremely seriously and I'd like to offer my reassurance extensive enquiries are being carried out to establish what happened.

“In addition, specially trained officers are supporting the victim to make sure she gets the right help and support, whether this be from police or other agencies.

"We know incidents like this cause concern among our communities and extra officers will be in the area, both to carry out enquiries and to offer reassurance."

Anyone with information is asked to call Northumbria Police on 101, extension 69191, quoting reference 220 100514, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 55 111.