A MAN has been released with no further action taken against him following an alleged rape in a Southampton park.

According to police the investigation into the incident which took place at the park between Union Road and Summers Street in Northam has now been closed.

A man was previously arrested for the reported rape of a 19-year-old girl on Sunday, August 11 between 8.40pm and 9.20pm

Police have said that the case has been filed and a “crime has not been detected”, however, they would not say what did happen.

A police spokesperson said: “The man that was arrested for the rape which is reported to have taken on August 11 will have no further action taken against him. The report has been filed as a crime has not been detected.”

An unrelated rape investigation has been launched following an incident in Southampton city centre last week.

A 17-year-old girl told police she was assaulted during the early hours of Friday.

The children’s play area in Houndwell Park was taped off while specialist police units inspected the area. However according to police, after initial enquiries, other locations are being looked at, and no-one has been arrested. A police spokesperson said: “We continue to investigate the report of rape against a 17-year-old girl that happened in the early hours of this morning (August 30).

“Following initial enquiries, we no longer believe the offence took place in Houndwell Park. As such, the park is no longer cordoned off. Enquiries are ongoing to ascertain the exact circumstances of what happened.”

Cabinet Member for a healthier and safer city, Cllr Dave Shields said: “It’s a horrible incident and we do not want to see this kind of thing happening in Southampton.

“I have been discussing the issue with police and residents and it is something we are all very concerned about.”

The Echo previously reported women in Southampton said they do not feel safe enough to walk through parks across the city.