POLICE investigating reports of a rape near a Tyne Valley village are appealing for a key witness to come forward.

A woman in her 40s told officers she was approached by a man on a bicycle on May 7 whilst walking near the village of Dalton, between Stamfordham and Darras Hall. She claimed he then raped her before riding away on his bike.

The incident was only recently reported to police and the exact time of the incident was unknown, but it was believed to have taken place between 7.30pm and 9.40pm.

Detectives have carried out extensive enquiries to locate the suspect, and are now appealing for help from the public.

Detective sergeant Amanda Harland, of Northumbria Police, said they were looking to trace a key witness who was also cycling in the area around the time of the alleged assault.

She said: “We are treating this incident very seriously and specialist officers are supporting the victim at this time.

“She had been walking from Ponteland to Stamfordham when she was attacked near Dalton village and we are trying to speak to anyone who may have seen her that evening.

“It is rural but we are confident that a number of motorists or cyclists would have seen her walking in the area.

“In particular we want to speak to one cyclist who was travelling in the immediate area of Dalton shortly after the attack took place.

“Unfortunately we don’t have a description of this individual but we are confident that this person will know who they are if they read this appeal.

“He was not involved in the attack, and is not believed to have any connection to the suspect, but he could be a key witness who could assist with this case

“We would also urge anyone who may have captured dash cam footage from this area on the evening of May 7 to please review their footage and share it with police.”

Police do not have any description of the alleged offender or the witness, but were asking anyone who may have seen a cyclist in the area on May 7 to get in touch.

On Tuesday, Det. Sgt Harland urged the offender to make himself known to police.

added: “We believe it is only a matter of time before we establish some of the key circumstances around this case.

“We are confident there will be individuals who can help us get to the bottom of what happened, no one more than the cyclist who committed this offence.

“I would appeal directly to him and ask him to come forward and make himself known to police.”