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Police have called off their hunt for the rapist who allegedly attacked a woman in the city centre.

A major investigation was launched after the sexual assault was reported to have taken place near the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, in Hanley, in the early hours of Sunday, August 13.

But after following up all leads and reviewing CCTV footage obtained from nearby cameras, officers are confident the attack did not occur.

DCI Rebecca Hyde, who has been leading Staffordshire Police's investigation into the rape allegation, said: “We take all allegations of rape and sexual assault seriously and we have conducted a thorough investigation into the alleged rape in Hanley.



"Throughout we have provided the individual involved with support and will continue to provide appropriate specialist support. All lines of inquiry have been completed and we are now satisfied that the incident did not happen.

“We want to reassure the public that we treat them sympathetically and with dignity and we would urge anyone who has been a victim of a rape or sexual assault to come forward and report it to us.”

A Staffordshire Police spokesman confirmed no further action will be taken against the woman who made the claims.