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City rapes 'not linked' - police City sex attack 'did not happen'
(about 4 hours later)
The PSNI has said there is nothing to suggest any of the four rapes reported in south Belfast in the last two weeks are linked. Police in south Belfast have said an alleged rape in the Holylands area of Tuesday did not happen.
In a statement, they said the claim, made on Tuesday, had been investigated for more than 36 hours and they were satisfied a rape had not taken place.
"We would like to emphasise that allegations of sexual assault are taken seriously and will be investigated," they said.
There has been concern in the area at the level of sexual attacks.
Superintendent Chris Noble said there had been 18 rapes or attempted rapes in the area since April.Superintendent Chris Noble said there had been 18 rapes or attempted rapes in the area since April.
In the latest attack, a 20-year-old woman was assaulted in the Holyland area on Tuesday morning.
"I've no information at this stage to suggest any of these crimes are linked," Superintendent Noble said."I've no information at this stage to suggest any of these crimes are linked," Superintendent Noble said.
Two men have been charged in connection with two of the alleged attacks in the last fortnight.
Superintendent Noble defended the police performance in the area.Superintendent Noble defended the police performance in the area.
"We've put significant commitment into our neighbourhood policing teams in the university area," he said. "We've put significant commitment into our neighbourhood policing teams in the university area," he said, adding that while the latest rape figures were too high, they were "comparable to other areas of Northern Ireland as well as other cities in the UK".
"We're patrolling with community safety wardens, we work very closely with the community safety partnership and the district policing partnership."
He said the officers of the rape crime unit were "committed to catching offenders and caring for victims and they've been working around the clock".
Superintendent Noble said while the latest rape figures were too high, they were "comparable to other areas of Northern Ireland as well as other cities in the UK".
The 18 attacks recorded since April compared to 23 in the previous period.The 18 attacks recorded since April compared to 23 in the previous period.
However, Belfast District Policing Partnership Chairman, Councillor Christopher Stalford, said PSNI assurances were not enough to reassure the community that it was doing everything possible to combat rapes in the city.However, Belfast District Policing Partnership Chairman, Councillor Christopher Stalford, said PSNI assurances were not enough to reassure the community that it was doing everything possible to combat rapes in the city.
"The perception is within the community that this a particular type of crime that is not being effectively combated."The perception is within the community that this a particular type of crime that is not being effectively combated.
"The DPP and its sub-groups will be looking for answers from the police as to what they are doing to get this terrible problem under control.""The DPP and its sub-groups will be looking for answers from the police as to what they are doing to get this terrible problem under control."