A MAN was arrested on suspicion of rape after a woman was sexually assaulted in Bournemouth Lower Gardens.

Police received a report at 3.24am on Sunday, September 1, a woman aged in her 40s had been assaulted in the gardens by a man she had met earlier in the evening.

A large police cordon was put in place stretching from the entrance to the Lower Gardens from Exeter Crescent, past the public toilets to the access point at Exeter Lane. 

Providing an update, a Dorset Police spokesperson said: “As part of our ongoing investigation into this matter, a Bournemouth man aged in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of rape.

“He has been released on police bail as further enquiries are carried out.”

The spokesperson said the victim is being kept updated with developments in the investigation and continues to be supported by specially trained officers.