A teenager was raped after being pinned to the ground and robbed by two women and a man in Manchester city centre .

Detectives investigating the horrific early morning attack say the 18-year-old victim was grabbed, hurled to the floor and held down as her handbag was ransacked. She was then raped.

Police were first called at 2.50am on Wednesday morning to Major Street, behind Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court near the Gay Village .

Officers now believe the victim was thrown to the ground by a man before he and a woman held her down whilst a second woman robbed her.

The man then raped the teenager, before all three ran off towards the Village.

The first woman, who helped to restrain the victim, is described as being approximately 18 years old, of mixed race, scrawny build and had her hair tied up in a ponytail.

The second woman, who robbed the victim after going through her handbag, is described as mixed race, in her early 20s and had her hair in a messy ponytail.

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Both women spoke with local accents. It’s not yet known what items were stolen.

The man who raped her is described as white, in his early 20s, with a slim build and a clean shaven face. He was wearing sports clothing.

Detectives leading the investigation are now asking that anyone who may have seen a group matching the description of the suspects before or after the rape took place to contact police immediately.

The time period for this would be between around 2am and 3am.

Detective Inspector Dave Moores of GMP’s Serious Sexual Offences Unit, said: “This was a horrendous attack on a young woman which has, understandably, left her extremely distressed.

“We are providing her with support from specially trained officers and have launched a full investigation.

“I would urge anybody who recognises the description of these three and thinks they may have seen them in the city centre area between 2am and 3am to please contact police immediately.”

The scene was yesterday cordoned off by police as forensics carried out their investigations.

Anybody with information should contact police on 0161 856 1911 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.