Three men have been arrested after a woman was raped in the street near a shopping centre in Brighton as people walked by.
One of the men has been charged and brought before a court while two men from Brighton have been released on police bail while detectives continue with their inquiries.
Sussex Police said that it was keen for any witnesses to come forward to help the investigation into the attack which happened in the early hours just yards from Churchill Square.
The force said: “Police are hoping to trace witnesses who might have seen a woman being raped in Brighton.
“A woman, from Horsham, was with friends in the city on Saturday 20 February when they met a group of men and got talking.
“The victim, a 22-year-old, was raped in Clarence Square near to the pedestrian walkway to Churchill Square between 12.40am and 1.25am.”
Detective constable Leonie White said: “The rape took place in Clarence Square, very close to Churchill Square shopping centre, and we know people walked past at the time.
“We are appealing to them to come forward and talk to us.
“We have charged a man with the offence but are very keen to speak to any other witnesses.
“We are also hoping to trace a taxi which stopped for four white men in Western Road near Primark but did not pick them up.
“We are appealing to that driver to come forward as they may hold information which can help with our investigation.”
Oliver Harwood, 23, unemployed, of Chanctonbury Road, Burgess Hill, has been charged with rape.
He appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 24 February when he was remanded in custody to appear at Lewes Crown Court on Wednesday 23 March.
The two men from Brighton – a 22-year-old and a 24-year-old – have been bailed until Tuesday 19 April while investigations continue.
