A WOMAN has been given a fixed penalty notice for wasting police time after making up a false allegation of attempted rape.

The 21-year-old claimed she had been grabbed by a man as she walked around Liden Lagoon earlier this month but had managed to get away after hitting out at him.

Officers arrived at the scene promptly after the allegation was made and a man matching the description given by the woman was arrested.

The woman has now admitted to making up the entire incident.

Detective Inspector Mark Garrett, head of Swindon CID, said: “Wiltshire Police take any reports of sexual assaults incredibly seriously and will use all available resources to bring perpetrators of these crimes to justice.

“This enquiry has taken up a lot of police time and resources but also resulted in an innocent man being arrested on suspicion of a very serious crime.”

Anyone wishing to report a crime should contact Wiltshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be left anonymously.