Police officers seen on the steps near the Dana

Police inquiries were continuing today into a serious sexual attack on a woman near the Dana prison in Shrewsbury.

The Dana railway bridge was sealed off with police tape and nearby Castle Walk was closed to traffic on the outskirts of the town centre on Saturday following the incident in the early hours of the morning.

A man was later arrested in connection with the incident and remained in custody today.

Police said the attack was believed to have happened between 2.30am and 3.30am close to the prison. A woman was taken to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital for treatment.

Officers have now issued an appeal for anybody with any information about the serious incident to come forward.

A spokeswoman for the West Mercia Police Force said today: “Anyone with information for police about the incident on Saturday should call West Mercia Constabulary on 0300 333 3000.”

Steps leading from outside the Dana Prison down to the walkway alongside the River Severn were sealed off on Saturday and a white police tent put up.

A resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said there was a visible police presence in the area and he had also seen a mobile CCTV police van.

He said officers were preventing people from entering the Dana bridge on Saturday morning.

A Castlefields resident said he could see a white police tent near the Dana steps which appeared to be covering something with a policewoman guarding it.

The incident comes just days after a woman was punched in the face and had her handbag stolen by two men wearing balaclavas as she walked near the Dana Bridge.

Two men are believed to have carried out the attack, which happened on Thursday morning, as the woman reached the top of the steps from the railway station forecourt.

Information about either of these incidents can also be passed to police via the Crimestoppers number anonymously on 0800 555111.

By Russell Roberts