Skellefteå police called in support from, among others, motorcycle officers and dogs (pictured) as part of the effort to secure evidence after the suspected attempted rape in the forested area near the lighted trail between Erikslid and Sjungande Dalen around 10:30 on Monday morning.
At around 10:30 on Monday morning, Skellefteå police were alerted to a suspected attempted rape in the wooded area near Erikslid/Eriksberg.
According to Skellefteå police, the incident took place on a forest path near the lit trail north of the playground and grill hut, close to the unmanned petrol station.
The woman who was assaulted was taken to Skellefteå Hospital. According to initial police reports, she had injuries when found, but she was awake and able to communicate.
By midday on Monday, Västerbotten police released basic details about the incident, providing a general overview of what occurred and issuing an appeal for witnesses.
Police investigative efforts included a crime scene investigation, information gathering, evidence collection, and interviews. A police dog and a drone were also deployed at the scene.
The investigation is being led by the Skellefteå police's domestic crimes unit. Team leader David Nyström tells Norran:
– All outdoor investigative efforts from earlier in the week have now been completed. On Tuesday, we continued with interviews, and by Wednesday, the investigation had largely moved indoors. This includes processing evidence, analysing interviews, following up on public tips, and ongoing forensic work related to the crime scene.
– The visible police presence in the area is partly to provide reassurance and partly to offer residents a chance to speak with police, Nyström adds.
Skellefteå police have made a clear appeal in Norran for public information – how has the response been?
– We’ve received several tips. Many people live in the area, and a lot of them mentioned they "read in the paper" that police were asking for information. We take every tip seriously and process them as we're able. It's also important to stress that even if we don't contact the tipster, that doesn't mean we haven't read the message. We'll get back to people if we think there are follow-up questions. And our broad appeal for all types of tips still stands, says Nyström.
By lunchtime on Wednesday, no one had been taken into custody in connection with the attempted rape. The classification of the crime remains unchanged, but police have not released any description of the suspect – not even whether they believe the attacker was a man or a woman.
On Tuesday afternoon, Skellefteå police were able to conduct their first in-depth interview with the victim.
Nyström isn't sharing any details of what was discussed, noting that the police want to avoid influencing potential witnesses with the woman's account of what happened.
How would you describe the woman's condition?
– You could say she is doing relatively well under the circumstances, considering what she has endured. Her physical injuries are considered minor, but the severity of the incident left her in shock. That contributed to the delay before a more comprehensive interview could be conducted, Nyström says.
Skellefteå police are still appealing for witness statements from around 10:30 on Monday morning in the area where Sjungande Dalen and Erikslid meet, near the lighted trail close to the playground by the houses on Upplagsvägen/Fru Lovias Gata.
How can the sequence of events be described, and what happened afterwards?
– What I can say is that it was a very brief incident. It’s still difficult to determine the exact legal classification, but for now, the charge remains attempted rape.
– After the incident, the woman managed to leave the area and then encountered a passer-by near the scene who contacted the police. We were quickly on site and immediately deployed extensive investigative resources, adds Nyström.
Norran will try to update this story.