The peaceful atmosphere at Martello Beach Holiday Park in Jaywick, Essex, was shattered this past Friday evening when a teenage girl was reportedly raped under a bridge close to the bustling clubhouse area. The incident, occurring around 7:30 PM, has left the community and holidaymakers in shock and disbelief.
The victim, a young teenager, was apparently led away from an arcade by two teenage boys, traversing a car park to reach a secluded spot beneath a nearby steel bridge, where the heinous act was committed. The area was quickly cordoned off by the police as they commenced a thorough investigation, which included securing CCTV footage from the vicinity.
Kai, a father of two visiting the park, recounted the immediate aftermath of the incident. He observed, “I got here on Friday afternoon and the following day there was police everywhere. They had sealed off the car park by the clubhouse and had sealed off the bridge.” The gravity of the situation dawned on him and other guests only later when details of the attack were confirmed. It’s horrifying,” he added.
The response from the community has been one of concern and precaution, especially among parents. Kai, specifically, voiced his fears: “My daughters are arriving tomorrow…I’m not going to let them out of my sight.” Another visiting couple expressed their dismay at the audacity of the attack occurring in such a populated area during daylight hours, emphasizing the brazen nature of the crime.
Essex Police, led by Detective Inspector James Hardingham, are actively searching for the two suspects, both described as young teenagers of Caucasian descent. One of the boys has black hair and was last seen wearing a white vest and grey shorts, while the other, with dark blonde hair, was in a blue t-shirt and blue shorts. The police have urged anyone who was in the area and might have seen the suspects or any unusual activity to come forward.
DI Hardingham stressed the urgency of the situation: “The victim and her family are being supported by specialist officers and staff. We are working around the clock to identify these two boys. There will have been a number of people in the area who will have seen the boys, and we need anyone with information to contact us.
The incident has prompted a robust police presence in the park, with both uniformed and plainclothes officers conducting high-visibility patrols and house-to-house inquiries. The local community and visitors to the park are urged to maintain vigilance and report any information that might help in the quick apprehension of the suspects to ensure the safety of all park-goers.
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