A TEENAGE boy has been arrested by police investigating the rape of a schoolgirl.

The 15-year-old girl reported that she had been raped at a house in the Barnes area of Sunderland in the early hours of Saturday, July 16.

A 16-year-old boy has since been arrested on suspicion of rape and has been released on police bail.

Police are now appealing for help to trace a woman who offered the girl a lift as she walked home after the incident.

The girl was walking near the Barnes Gyratory in the city when she was offered a lift by a woman in a white van, who dropped her off at a house in Castletown at some point between 2.35am and 3.35am.

Detective Inspector Denise Clark said: “We’re keen to speak to this woman as a witness and would ask that she please get in connect with us.”

Anyone with information is asked to ring Northumbria Police on101 and quote reference 249 160716. Alternatively information can be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.