(Image: Newsquest)
Residents have said crime continues to plague an area of York where police are investigating an alleged rape.
North Yorkshire Police said a woman in her 40s was allegedly raped in Walmgate on Thursday night (October 22).
The alleged victim, a woman in her 40s, is receiving care and support from specialist agencies, police said.
A police spokesperson said officers were called to the scene near the York city walls in Walmgate at about 10.45pm on Thursday.
They said a man in his 40s was arrested on arrival at the scene and has since been released on conditional police bail.
A witness said he saw the police cordon in place across Walmgate at about 11.45pm on Thursday.
Staff at a nearby takeaway said they saw two police cars and an ambulance heading in the direction of Walmgate Bar at around 11pm.
"It's a shame," one takeaway worker said of the alleged rape.
Nearby residents said Walmgate is a busy road and police are often in the area, so they did not notice the increased presence from the emergency services on Thursday.
"It's just chaos. Crime is getting worse here," said one resident who has lived in the Walmgate area for 20 years.
The man, 40, who did not want to be named, said he was considering moving away from the area due to an increase in crime.
"Elderly people can't walk around at night," he said. "You're scared to walk your dog at night."
He said he was unconvinced that redevelopment work turning the nearby Willow House care home site into 36 affordable homes would improve the area, arguing that it would only result in Walmgate being busier.
On what must happen to improve Walmgate, he said local authorities "need to pull their finger out and get rid of all the riff raff".
North Yorkshire Police said inquiries remain ongoing into the alleged rape and urged anyone with information to get in touch.
Detectives are urging anyone who was in the area at the time to contact North Yorkshire Police online or by phoning 101 and passing information for York CID quoting reference number 12260208195.
Information can be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online via its website.