Schoolgirl Raped During End Of Exams Party

Police have appealed for help with their inquiries after a schoolgirl had been raped during an open-air party attended by more than 100 teenagers.

The youngsters had gathered on Hardwick Heath in Bury St Edmunds to celebrate the end of their GCSE exams on Friday night.

The 15-year-old girl was found in the park in a distressed state shortly after 10pm and taken to West Suffolk Hospital.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk Police said a rape inquiry had been launched.

"It is known about 100 young people were gathered on the heath between 8pm and 11pm on Friday night," she said.

"Police need to speak to them and anyone else who was in the area between these times to gather a full picture of what happened."

Hardwick Heath has been used as an unofficial party venue by teenagers for several years.

Local residents say there have not been any significant problems in the past.