Two incidents of rape

Police are investigating two rapes that happened over the weekend in Rochdale.

The first incident happened at Falinge Park when a 29-year-old woman was raped sometime between 6.30pm and 8.30pm on Friday 19 October 2012.

A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of rape and bailed until December pending further enquiries.

A 21-year-old woman was raped on an area of land behind the Heywood pub at about 3.30am on Monday 22 October 2012.

Both women are being supported by specially trained officers from GMP's Serious Sexual Offences Unit, but both are yet to be formally interviewed.

Enquiries into both incidents are continuing.

Detective Inspector Ian Harrett, of the Serious Sexual Offences Unit, said: "We are currently investigating two rape offences from over the weekend: one on Friday night at Falinge Park for which a man has been arrested and bailed and another unrelated incident in Heywood.

"I want to reassure the public that we have a team of detectives investigating both incidents and the two victims are being supported by specially trained officers.

"Obviously people in the local community will be worried and we will have extra officers in those areas should anyone wish to talk to us.

"I would also like to say that as upsetting as these incidents are, we do not believe there is a wider threat to women in the area."

Anyone with information is asked to call the Serious Sexual Offences Unit on 0161 856 1741, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Anyone who has been a victim of rape or sexual assault can contact Greater Manchester Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. GMP has specially trained officers in place to provide a first class response to victims and help support them through the criminal justice process.

St Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Manchester, can also be contacted on 0161 276 6515. This provides a comprehensive and coordinated forensic, counselling and medical aftercare service to anyone in Greater Manchester who has experienced rape or sexual assault. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and people can access them either as a self-referral or via Greater Manchester Police.