POLICE have issued an appeal for help from the public to locate a man who is wanted in connection with a report of rape.

Matthew James Ford, who is from the Wingate area of Durham, has been wanted by police for almost a year.

This follows a report of an incident in Washington.

A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: "He was first circulated as wanted on New Year’s Eve last year and enquiries to locate him have been ongoing ever since.

"But Ford is believed to be purposely avoiding police and now officers are asking for help from the public.

"Police do not believe he is any risk to the wider public but hope say they want to bring him into custody before Christmas."

Anyone who knows where Ford may be, or has information that may help officers to locate him, is asked to report it through the Northumbria Police website or by calling the non-emergency police number 101.

Information can also be passed on anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800-555111.