A Carlisle man has been arrested following a report a woman was raped in Southport in the early hours of Friday, December 27. It was reported a woman had been raped by a man in the toilets of the Chop House pub on Scarisbrick Avenue, Southport between midnight and 2am on Friday. Following enquiries, a 44-year-old man from Carlisle was arrested on Monday, December 30 on suspicion of rape. He has been taken into custody to be questioned. Detective Inspector Carla Cross said: “We take all reports of rape and sexual assault extremely seriously, and following extensive enquiries we have detained a suspect in connection with this incident. “We know the impact of such offences can be long-lasting on victims, and our specialist Unity team will provide specialist support to the victim in this case throughout the investigation and court process. “While we are making progress with this investigation, we continue to appeal to the public and anyone who was in the Chop House or nearby in the early hours of Friday, December 27 to consider if they saw anything that in hindsight seemed suspicious. “Information from the public can and often does help to gather evidence that puts dangerous offenders behind bars, and I would appeal to anyone with information to get in touch.”