A MAN at the centre of a rape investigation in a Bournemouth shopping centre car park has been released on police bail. 

A 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of rape following an incident in Boscombe’s Sovereign Centre car park.

The alleged rape on Christchurch Road was reported in the early hours of Thursday, August 31. 

A woman in her 20s is being supported by officers and is helping police with their enquiries. 

Officers taped off a section of the car park throughout yesterday while crime scene investigators forensically examined the area. 

Particular attention was given to a yellow trolley bay.  

The county force added that the man and woman are known to each other and there is “no wider risk to the public and officers can be approached by anyone with any concerns”. 

While the car park remained open, cars had to travel both ways down a one-way system on the ground floor in order to get to the second floor. 

A Dorset Police spokesperson added that enquiries into the alleged incident continue.