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A rape victim has been left terrified after an attack in the west end of Newcastle.

Specialist officers are now supporting the 26-year-old woman after she was assaulted close to the bowling alley on Westgate Road during the weekend.

Officers have been carrying out inquiries in the area to establish the exact circumstances of the incident, believed to have happened sometime between 11pm on Friday and 4am on Saturday.

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Following the attack, the woman managed to give police a description of the man.

He is believed to be in his 20s or 30s, white, around 5ft 8ins to 5ft 9ins tall, of thin build, with dark brown or black hair. He is described as having young looking features, with fresh stubble. He was also wearing a pale coloured short-sleeved t-shirt, navy blue jeans and trainers.

While police say the investigation is in its early stages, a high profile police presence remains in the area to help reassure the local community.

John Bartham, 41, who was visiting friends in nearby Lynwood Terrace on Monday, said: “I’ve seen a few police officers round here over the weekend.

“You’d like to think there might be some CCTV to help the police catch this guy or at least make people feel a bit safer.”

Amanda Moore, 38, said: “I used to live on Dunholme Road which is not far from here and I wouldn’t have been happy walking home alone that late at night, and I certainly wouldn’t like my teenage daughter to be doing it.

“It can be a busy road so you’d like to think someone might have seen something.”

Police are now hoping to hear from anyone who was passing the bowling alley area of Westgate Road late on Friday or in the early hours of Saturday morning or might have information about what happened.

A spokeswoman for Northumbria Police said: “Anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious activity or has any information is asked to contact us on 101 ext 69191, quoting reference 153 27/07/14.”

Witnesses can also ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.