Girl, 16, raped in city centre public garden

The girl was assaulted in St John's Gardens, a public space in Liverpool

A teenager has been raped in a city centre public garden in the early hours of the morning.

The 16-year-old girl was assaulted by an unknown man in St John's Gardens, Liverpool at about 01:50 BST, Merseyside Police said.

Officers are patrolling the area and checking newly-installed CCTV cameras, which were put in to deter crime and serious violence in the gardens.

The force said the girl was being supported by specialist officers.

Det Ch Insp Paul Parry said: “This is clearly a very shocking incident which has left a young girl very distressed.

"We believe there were a number of people in the vicinity of John’s Gardens at the time of this incident, who left without speaking to our patrols."

He urged those witnesses to come forward, as any information could be "critical in helping us identify the person responsible".

Delivery or taxi drivers are also asked to check dashcam footage.