[23 JAN 01] CRIMES, FIRES & ACCIDENTS
Police Worry Over Sex Attacks On Under-Age Girls

Police in Coventry say efforts are being made to curb the number of under-age girls being attacked after visiting bars in the city following two rapes and a sexual assault.

Three incidents in the last week have highlighted on-going concerns about the number of under-18s visiting city nightspots.

A dedicated licensing inspector is stepping up efforts to work with landlords and managers following the incidents.

The job involves constant liaison with the people responsible for trying to keep under-age drinkers out of pubs and clubs.

Detectives say they have had a good response for pleas for witnesses following the latest alleged rape at the weekend, when a 14-year-old girl claims she was attacked in Radford.

She had been in a bar before the attack between 11pm and 11.55pm on land between Abbots Lane and Mill Street on Saturday.

Officers asked for two couples in area at the time of the attack to come forward.

Four men are due to answer to police bail later this week in response to accusations of rape in a yard near Coventry Skydome on 12 January, where a 15-year-old girl was attacked.

But no-one has yet come forward after a 17-year-old girl fought off an attacker at near the McGuigans bar in Primrose Hill Street on 14 January at 1.45am.

DC Dennis Clich said:

“It is always a matter of great concern when these things happen to young people.

“We have a had a good response from the most recent appeals and enquiries are continuing.”

SEE [22 JAN 01] COUPLES SOUGHT AS TEENAGER MAKES RAPE CLAIM
SEE [15 JAN 01] TEENAGER RAPED IN COVENTRY CITY CENTRE
SEE [15 JAN 01] TEENAGER FIGHTS OFF CITY SEX ATTACKER