Woman suffers serious sexual assault in grounds of Wolverhampton church

The incident happened at around 4.30am yesterday at St Peter's Church on Wulfruna Street, near to the Civic Centre.

Police cordoned off parts of the church as they carried out their investigation.

They are now appealing for any witnesses to the assault.

Pete Edney, a spokesman for West Midlands Police, said: "Police are investigating reports of a serious sexual assault on a woman in Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton City Centre, at around 4.30am.

"The scene has been cordoned off as part of the investigation. Anyone with information can call police on 101."

The area cordoned off was on the left hand side of the church as if you were facing it from Queen Square.

Despite the cordon, yesterday's Sunday mass at the church went ahead as normal as officers allowed the church to open up.

It was closed in the early hours of the morning when the assault took place.

Prebendary David Wright from St Peter's Collegiate has described the event as a 'tragedy' and said the church will be helping police as best they can as they carry out their investigation.

He said: "It's a tragedy for somebody.

"We will offer the police all the help we can and we hope that whoever did this is caught soon."

Last year, Wolverhampton was statistically the worst area in the West Midlands region for violent and sexual offences.

The crime rate was 18.31 per 1,000 population, higher than Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall, Solihull, Coventry and even Birmingham.

Dudley had a rate of 11.61, Sandwell 13.89, Walsall 14.79 and Birmingham 17.33.

St Peter's Collegiate Church is the main church in the city, hosting the Remembrance Day services for the city centre every year.

It is a grade one listed building meaning it is of exceptional interest.