A MAN in his 20s has been arrested on suspicion of rape after a woman was allegedly sexually assaulted in an alleyway last week. 

Today ( May 3) Met Police have issued an appeal to the public after an alarming incident in Erith on April 21. 

A woman was reported to have been raped in an alleyway off Bexley Road, Erith on Wednesday afternoon. 

Police received the report shortly after 3.30 pm on the same day.

Investigating officers are appealing for witnesses who were on Bexley Road, Hurst Road and the adjoining alleys between 11.30am and 12.30am.

It is believed that the woman, in her 30s, and the suspect travelled together along Bexley Road, near Mill Road and crossed the road to the side of a pizza takeaway.

They then turned into an alleyway that sits between a fried chicken shop and a charity shop.

The alleyway leads in the direction of Hurst Road, which runs parallel to Bexley Road.

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They are then believed to have carried straight over the cross roads of the alleyway and Hurst Road, before walking towards a narrow lane with garages that is parallel to a school playing field.

This is where the rape is reported to have happened.

Police have confirmed that the woman is being supported by specialist officers.

The man in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of rape on April 23. He has been bailed to return to the police station on a date in mid May.

DC Niall McCloskey, investigating, said: “We would ask anyone with information or who may have seen something to come forward and tell us what they know.

“We take reports of sexual assaults incredibly seriously and we will provide the best support possible to those who bravely come forward and report them."

Anyone who was in the area at this time or who has information about this incident, is urged to call 101, quoting the reference CAD 4243/21APR21.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.