Clifford Church: Man wanted in connection with rape 'may be sleeping on the streets' of Leeds city centre
A man who is wanted in connection with an alleged rape could be sleeping on the streets of Leeds city centre, police have said.
North Yorkshire Police are hunting Clifford Church in connection with a rape and have been searching for him for several weeks.
As well as links to Leeds, he also has connections in York, Durham and Cleveland, and often travels by train.
Detectives leading the investigation now believe the 62-year-old, of Harrogate, may be sleeping on the streets of Leeds city centre.
They believed anyone using Leeds bus station and Kirkgate Market or members of the homeless community in Leeds may have encountered him.
He is identifiable by his distinctive tattoos, which include a dot on his left cheek and a half inch line to his eyebrow.
On his left arm he has NUFC and Newcastle United, UB40, a love heart, a cross near his wrist and dotted lines across his left wrist. On his right arm he has a ship and web across his right wrist.
Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Wilkinson said: “Clifford Church is wanted by police over a very serious sexual offence against a woman which happened last month, so we need people to do the right things and tell us if they see him.
“We have new information that suggests Church is sleeping on the streets of Leeds, and may be spending time around the bus station and city market area.
“Maybe you’ve been in those areas when you gone shopping in Leeds, you work in that part of the city or you spend a lot of time in that area. If so, you may have seen him or have information that could help us and the victim.”
Anyone who sees him or has information about his current whereabouts is asked to call 999 immediately.
Anyone with other information is asked to call 101 quoting crime number 12250147354. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.