AN investigation into the reported sexual assault of a teenage girl in Albury earlier this week has concluded.

Police were told the 17-year-old girl was sexually assaulted after being confronted by three men while walking across the Dean Street footbridge about 6.30pm on Tuesday.

Detectives from Albury Local Area Command have conducted extensive inquiries since the reported incident, including forensic testing, and have spoken to a number of people.

The investigation has been finalised.

Police are no longer seeking three men and no further action is anticipated.

Earlier today, the mayor of Albury apologised after saying women walking by themselves were sending “an invitation” to would-be attackers.

Speaking in the aftermath of the attack, Cr Mack had said: “I always have encouraged women not to walk alone, to have someone with them at all times, because that in itself is an invitation for someone to take advantage of you,” he told ABC News.

“It’s a salient reminder to us all not to take what we have for granted, and to make sure we have appropriate safety in place.”

But today the mayor went on local radio to apologise for his comments after he was accused of victim-blaming in a furious backlash.

“The girl in question has not done anything wrong,” he told ABC regional radio.

“She was doing what she would do every day and she’s been the victim of a heinous crime and her callous attackers are responsible for that.

“I apologise without reservation. It was a poor choice of words and if I had my time back again I wouldn’t have said it.

“It’s not how I feel. I’m a staunch advocate for women’s rights. My work speaks for that and I apologise for that.”

Attendees at a domestic violence forum in Albury yesterday slammed the mayor, questioning why it was always left to the victim to keep herself safe, The Border Mail reports.

“When I first read his comments it felt like we were being blamed — because we are walking alone it’s our fault that we are being preyed upon, but it’s not our fault,” said Fiona Garvie, one of about 120 attendees at the forum.

“Why should I be told not to walk alone at night when there should be focus on awareness of what is actually happening out there and education saying to men not to attack women?”

Panellist Di Sutherland, a TAFE community service teacher, said: “When it comes to gender stereotypes, like saying that women need to take measures to protect themselves, we need to make people aware that the way they respond to these incidents perpetuates those myths.”

Albury police released comfit images of the three suspects, who had reportedly been seen loitering near a car dealership.

“At this point in time we’re treating it as a completely isolated attack, a random attack, it doesn’t appear to be linked to any other crimes that we’re investigating,” Inspector Scott Russell had said today.