A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of rape following an alleged incident in Darlington town centre on Wednesday evening.

The 42-year-old is currently in police custody.

An alleyway and part of St Cuthbert's church yard, right in Darlington town centre, was sealed off by police as forensics officers carried out an investigation.

The incident is believed to have happened between 8pm and 8.40pm on Wednesday in an alleyway behind the Boot and Shoe pub, on Church Row in the town centre.

Part of St Cuthbert's Churchyard, plus the alleyway, are cordoned off with police tape.

Detective Inspector Sharon Alderson, from Darlington CID, said: “I would like to hear from anyone who was around the Boot and Shoe and St Cuthbert’s Church area of Darlington at the time of the incident who may have information which could help our enquiries.”

  • Anyone with any information should call Durham Constabulary on 101, quoting incident number 438 of January 31.
  • Alternatively information can be passed on anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.