SHOCKED councillors have urged people to help police catch a rapist who attacked a 17-year-old girl as she walked through a Bradford park.

She was dragged into woodland by the athletic-looking man in his 20s who had followed her through Bowling Park at lunchtime last Thursday.

Detectives have been scouring the area for clues and have urged anyone who was in the park at the time to come forward.

Ward councillors have backed the police appeal and have spoken of their disgust at the crime.

Councillor Hassan Khan (Lab, Bowling and Barkerend) said: "It is terrible.

"I think we need to secure that park and put some cameras up for the safety of citizens in this area.

"It is not acceptable in the community - I cannot believe this is happening in Bradford.

"We need to do something about it. The police should take serious action on this matter.

"They should make an example for the city that this will not be tolerated in our community. It is not right."

He added: "My sympathy goes to the girl and her family. I am shocked at her age."

Cllr Rizwana Jamil (Lab, Bowling and Barkerend) said: "My initial reaction is one of shock that something like that could happen in this area.

"My thoughts to the victim - I hope she is okay. Any support I can offer, I will do."

She added: "It is just shocking that something like that could happen in broad daylight in a park. It is despicable.

"Whoever has any information has to come forward immediately and let the police know. There is every chance that if the perpetrator is not caught he could try this again. We have to be clear that he needs to be caught."

Cllr Khan said it was possible that a portable CCTV camera used to target fly-tippers could be deployed in the park when available to provide assurance for members of the public.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark McManus, who is leading the hunt, said: "There will have been a number of people in and around the park at this time, and I am appealing to anyone may have seen anything suspicious to come forward.

"It is possible someone may have witnessed what they believe to be a couple arguing and thought nothing of it, or the suspect in the park area prior to the attack.

"They could be vital witnesses to the investigation, and we would ask them to come forward."

After the attack, the rapist is believed to have turned left out of the wooded area and headed towards Parkside Road.

Det Ch Insp McManus added: "We believe a group of young males were near the cemetery end of Burras Road around the time of the incident, and would ask them to come forward as they may hold vital information as witnesses.

"Inquiries are at an early stage, and specially trained officers are continuing to support the victim at this time.

The suspect is described as an Asian male, aged 20 to 25 years, and about 5ft 7ins tall. He was wearing light-coloured jogging-style bottoms, and a bright-coloured hooded top.

Anyone who was in the park between 1pm and 2pm on Thursday and has any information about the attack has been urged to contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team at West Yorkshire Police via 101, quoting crime reference number 13150180322.