Detectives investigating the rape of a young woman in Preston are looking at the possibility her attacker travelled to the Bolton area.



New CCTV images show the man that police are treating as a suspect travelling on the 8am Northern train from Preston to Manchester. He got off at Bolton at around 8:54am and then left the train station, heading to the bus station.



The man has then boarded the number 37 Manchester bus at bus stop X, however it is not known which stop he got off at.



The victim, 18, was attacked at around 4:20am on Sunday (September 22nd) after becoming separated from her friends.



She has walked along Lancaster Road from Church Street in the city centre. When she has reached the junction with Harris Street at the side of Sessions House, she has met a man.



After a brief interaction, they have walked onto Lord Street, where it is believed that the woman was raped on a grassed area.



The man has then walked off but returned to the area a few minutes later and tried to talk to the victim. He then went back on to Lancaster Road.



Following enquiries, officers believe he may have approached other women in the city centre during the evening and early hours.



DI Fiona Jackson from Preston Police said: “We are determined to find this man and now know he travelled out of Preston hours after the attack, exiting the train at Bolton and then got on a bus but we don’t know when and where he got off.


“You will see that he was wearing some very distinctive trainers and clothing including jeans with a rip close to the knee area.



“If you think you saw him at the time, have seen him since or you know who he is, please contact us immediately.”



Anyone with information can call 01772 209702 or if you fail to get an answer, 101, ask for Lancashire Police and quote incident reference 323 of September 22nd.

Alternatively independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.