Key Points
- GMP needs your assistance after it was reported that a 15-year-old girl was raped in Salford.
- This incident reportedly occurred between 11 pm on Friday, October 23, and 2 am on Saturday, October 24, close to Eccles Recreation Ground.
- Images of a man that police want to speak to have been released by GMP as part of the investigation.
- According to the victim, a man approached her when she was walking and stated that he wanted to protect her.
- The man allegedly followed her and called out to her as she was trying to distance herself; the assault reportedly took place shortly after.
- A description of the suspect has been provided; the man is described as a white male standing about 5ft 7in, having shoulder-length brown hair, a goatee and a moustache.
- At the time of the appeal, no arrest had been made.
- “Det Insp Dave Ogden of GMP’s Salford division, stated that the incident was being treated with the highest level of seriousness,” said a spokesman for GMP.
- Extra patrols will be conducted in the area during the course of the investigation.
- If you have any information, you can contact GMP at 101, their live chat facility, or anonymous Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.
- In making the call, please quote log number 4156 of November 6, 2026.
Manchester Police (Manchester Mirror) November 13, 2026: Greater Manchester Police have appealed for witnesses and information after reports that a 15-year-old girl was raped close to Eccles Recreation Ground in Salford. The force said the alleged incident occurred between 11pm on October 23 and 2am on October 24.
As reported by the Manchester Evening News, GMP said it had released images of a man it wishes to interview because officers believe he may hold information that could assist the investigation. The force said a “comprehensive inquiry” was under way and that additional patrols had been deployed in the affected area.
The police said the girl was receiving support from specialist officers. According to GMP’s account, she had been walking near Eccles Recreation Ground when a man approached her.
“He kept calling out to her and pursued her as she tried to distance herself,” GMP said. “In fear, the girl remained with him, and the assault reportedly took place shortly thereafter.”
The force said the man allegedly told the girl that he “wanted to protect her”. The Sun and The Scottish Sun also reported the allegation, attributing the account to the girl’s report to police.
Who do police want to identify?
GMP described the man it wants to speak to as a white male, approximately 5ft 7in tall, with shoulder-length brown hair, a goatee and a moustache. The force released images as part of its appeal for information.
As reported by the Manchester Evening News, no arrests had been made at the time of the appeal. Police did not name a suspect and described the man only as someone they wished to interview.
The Sun reported that CCTV images of the man had been released and that officers were seeking witnesses and information. The Scottish Sun carried a substantially similar report, stating that police had shared CCTV as part of the hunt for the suspect.
What did Detective Inspector Dave Ogden say?
Detective Inspector Dave Ogden, from GMP’s Salford division, said the report was “extremely troubling” and that the force was treating it with the “highest level of seriousness”.
“Our primary focus is to provide and support the young involved in incident,”
he said, according to the Manchester Evening News.
He added: “I understand that such occurrences are deeply alarming for the local community, but I want to assure residents that we are actively advancing our investigation. Additional officers are present in the area, and I encourage anyone with concerns to reach out to them for guidance.”
Detective Inspector Ogden also urged anyone with information to come forward, either directly or anonymously.
“If you possess any information, please come forward—whether directly or anonymously—because even minor details could significantly aid our investigation,”
he said.
How can witnesses contact police?
GMP asked anyone with relevant information to call 101 or use its Live Chat service, quoting log number 4156 from November 6, 2026.
The force also said information could be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The police appeal did not state whether officers had identified any witnesses or recovered forensic evidence. It also did not provide a suspect name, vehicle details or a precise location within the vicinity of Eccles Recreation Ground.
What is known about the investigation?
The reported incident is alleged to have happened during the night of October 23 into the early hours of October 24. GMP made its public appeal on November 13, approximately three weeks later.
Police said the investigation remained active and that extra officers were present in the area. The force did not say how many officers had been deployed, how long the increased patrols would continue, or whether any specific line of enquiry had been identified.
The Manchester Evening News reported that GMP believed the man shown in the images may have “valuable information” connected with the inquiry. The Sun described the material released by police as CCTV images and said the force was appealing for witnesses.
Background of the development
Eccles is a town within the City of Salford in Greater Manchester. Greater Manchester Police’s local information for the Eccles area lists burglary, theft from or of motor vehicles, drug lines, cuckooing, anti-social behaviour and hate crime among its neighbourhood priorities.
The police.uk crime map for Eccles provides area-level crime information, while noting that exact locations and details of crimes are kept anonymous. GMP’s Eccles neighbourhood information identifies Eccles police station on Hardy Street as a local contact point.
The current appeal concerns an allegation rather than an established conviction. Under UK reporting practice, an allegation of rape is treated as an allegation unless and until a person is charged and convicted through the criminal justice process. GMP’s own wording refers to a “report” and an “assault reportedly” taking place, and the force had not announced an arrest or charge at the time of its appeal.
How this development can affect the Eccles community
For residents of Eccles and wider Salford, the police appeal may increase awareness of personal safety around public spaces during late-night hours. The force’s decision to deploy additional patrols may provide a visible police presence, while also encouraging residents to report concerns or information to officers.
For parents, carers and young people, the reported allegation may prompt conversations about safe routes, arrangements for walking alone at night, and the importance of contacting police promptly if someone feels unsafe. These are general safety considerations; GMP’s appeal specifically asks anyone with concerns to speak to the additional officers in the area.
For potential witnesses, the appeal may be significant because police say even small details could assist the investigation. Anyone who was in the vicinity of Eccles Recreation Ground during the reported period, or who recognises the man shown in the images, may decide to contact GMP or Crimestoppers.
For the alleged victim and her family, the development may affect confidence in reporting and accessing specialist support. GMP has said the girl is being supported by specialist officers, and its public appeal emphasises that information can be supplied anonymously.
For local businesses, community groups and neighbourhood organisations, increased patrols and public discussion of the case may lead to greater attention on safety around Eccles Recreation Ground. The practical effect will depend on the progress of the police investigation, whether further appeals are issued, and whether any arrest or charge follows.
