Man Arrested After Alleged Rape Of Schoolgirl In Mitcham, Police Confirm
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A man has been arrested following the alleged rape of a school girl in Mitcham, south London yesterday.
The 26-year-old man was arrested in Tooting, just after 8pm yesterday evening following a call from a member of the public.
The schoolgirl had told police she had been attacked at around 7am on Tuesday morning, in the North Place area. It is understood she was on her way to school at the time.
A video thought to have been taken around the time of the incident was shared widely on social media on Tuesday.
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: "We further remind people to please be mindful of sharing information via social media that could identify the alleged victim, or affect any potential future proceedings."
The arrest came after the Metropolitan Police launched an appeal yesterday, urging a suspect to hand himself in "for his own safety".
A Section 60 order was authorised throughout the boroughs of Merton and Wandsworth, which granted police additional stop and search powers. The Met has not confirmed whether the suspect is the man who has been arrested.
At the time, Detective Superintendent Owain Richards said: "Police have been conducting extensive enquiries today to locate [the suspect] after an allegation of rape was received shortly after 7am.
He also urged members of the public not to take matters into their own hands.
"We are of course aware of groups of people attending various addresses," he continued.
"Do not try to take the law into your own hands or you may end up doing something you regret and potentially face police action yourself."
Police also confirmed that both the young girl and her family are receiving support from specially trained officers.
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