Devonshire around midnight on Sunday.

A 29-year-old Devonshire man was taken into custody in connection with the alleged rape, which is classed as "serious sexual assault'' under the amended Sexual Offences Act, Police spokesman P.c. Gary Venning said.

They are anxious to speak to anyone who saw a man walking with a noticeably younger girl near the dock or the Cable Hill area on North Shore Road at about 10.30 p.m. The girl may have appeared in a distressed state at the time, P.c.

Venning said.