V Festival: Man arrested on suspicion of rape at Hylands Park in Chelmsford

The arrest was one of 41 made across the Essex site

(Samir Hussein/Getty Images)

A man has been arrested on suspicion of raping a woman in her forties at V Festival.

The alleged victim reported being attacked by a man at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex on Friday night.

A spokeswoman for Essex Police said: “A 21-year-old man is in custody following an allegation of rape in Hylands Park, Chelmsford.

“Police were contacted shortly before 1.30am on Sunday 23 August with reports that a woman in her forties has been raped on the outskirts of the site.

“Officers attended and arrested a suspect on suspicion of rape. He remains in custody being questioned by detectives. Inquiries are ongoing.”

The arrest was one of 41 made across the music festival taking place this weekend. There was one arrest for an alleged sexual assault and a number of others for offences including drug possession with intent to supply, ticket touting, theft and breach of the peace.

Officers also clamped down on the recreational use of laughing gas, which Chelmsford City Council banned in the lead-up to the festival.

Around 50,000 people were expected to attend the festival at the Essex site to see performers including Calvin Harris, Ellie Goulding, Stereophonics, Clean Bandit and Paloma Faith.

The festival was split across two sites including Weston Park in Staffordshire.

Additional reporting from PA.