Further arrests over suspected rape in layby

Police have been investigating a rape in Shortstown, near Bedford

Police investigating a reported rape that took place in a layby have made two further arrests.

Detectives received a call that a woman had been raped in a vehicle in Shortstown at about 05:00 BST on Monday after leaving Bedford town centre.

Two men in their 20s have been arrested on suspicion of rape and are being questioned.

A man in his 40s who was previously arrested has since been released on bail. Police have made an appeal for witnesses to come forward.

Police want to speak to two men who were near the Rose pub in Bedford on Monday morning

Det Sgt Benjamin Robertson, from the rape and serious sexual offences team at Bedfordshire Police, said: "We'd like to speak to two men who were in the vicinity of the Rose pub in the High Street in Bedford around 01:40 on Monday morning.

"One was wearing a grey jacket with white stripes and the other was wearing a long-sleeved green top.

"It is important to stress that we are treating these two men as witnesses, not suspects, and so would urge them to come forward as they could significantly help us with our investigation."