Police renew appeal for information regarding Sleaford sexual assault

Police are renewing their appeal for any information relating to a report of a sexual assault on a young woman at a nature park in Sleaford
Police incident on Mareham Pastures. Officers stand guard at the gateway from Lavender Close.. EMN-211207-114535001Police incident on Mareham Pastures. Officers stand guard at the gateway from Lavender Close.. EMN-211207-114535001
Police incident on Mareham Pastures. Officers stand guard at the gateway from Lavender Close.. EMN-211207-114535001

The woman in her 20s was said to have been assaulted while walking in Mareham Pastures nature reserve, near the Southfields estate, at 2am on Monday July 12.

The police investigation into the incident, now known as Operation Lido, is said to be ongoing and they are appealing for anyone who has any information to get in touch.

Specially trained officers are supporting the victim and are working on several lines of enquiry.

Detective Chief Superintendent Diane Coulson, Senior Investigating Officer, said: “We are completing a thorough investigation. Any piece of information may prove vital to our case, let us decide if it’s significant. We’d rather you called and told us than dismiss something you might know or have seen.

“Thankfully we receive few reports similar to this one, I know people in the local area may be concerned. The local Neighbourhood Policing Team and other officers will be in the area, please have a chat with them if you have any concerns or call on 101.”

She went on: “We would like to hear from anyone who was in the area between midnight and 3am on Monday and anyone who may have dashcam footage. You can now report information about this investigation, via a dedicated public portal. To report information please follow this link: Public Portal (mipp.police.uk)

There are a number of other ways to contact police about the incident:

Email [email protected] or call 101, quoting incident 66 of July 12.

Or through the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

A Reclaim The Night march has been organised by local woman, Jade John Hope, hoping to spread awareness and demand for streets to safe enough for women to walk at night after what she perceived to be a recent upsurge in violence, particularly gender-related.

The walk will meet at Mareham Pastures car park and head into town, culminating at the Market Place, with whistles and rape alarms to be handed out to women and self defence tips offered.