Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman in her forties was raped in the Woodhouse Park area of Wythenshawe last night.

The woman was walking  down a short ginnel just off Staithes Road,at about 8.20pm on Tuesday October 22 and as she walked onto the road, was grabbed by a man who pushed her behind some garages close to the ginnel and raped her.

Police say they don’t believe the attack is linked to earlier sexual assaults in Newall Green.

It is believed the man was disturbed by a noise and ran away along Staithes Road, at which point the woman was able to get away from the scene and alert police.

Chief Superintendent Rob Potts, of Greater Manchester Police,  said: “Our thoughts are with the woman who was attacked last night and we are supporting her as much as we can at this traumatic time. I want to reassure both her and the public that we are doing all we can to find this man.

“I am fully aware there are already concerns in the community following a number of sexual assaults in the nearby area over the last few weeks. We do not believe this attack last night is linked to the sexual assaults, but we have a number of extra officers on patrol to offer reassurance.

“If anyone saw or heard anything last night that they think may be linked to this attack, please get in touch. Did you see a man hanging around the Staithes Road area at around 8pm, or running away from that location slightly later? No matter how small or trivial you think your information is, please get in touch as it could actually be vital to our investigation.

“We have a specialist team of detectives dedicated to this case and we will aim to update the community as much as we can.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 5448. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.