Late yesterday afternoon, police also received information about four blankets, of which photos had been released. They and the knife had been stolen late on Saturday evening from the area close to the Bonn north bridge. The items were in a rucksack and a duffel bag belonging to a 22-year-old man. A barbeque party was taking place at the time below the north bridge in the Siegaue. Police had found the four blankets at the location of the incident on Sunday.

The criminal police are assuming the perpetrator may still be in possession of the duffel bag shown on the photo and the rucksack. It is manufactured by Deuter, model “Giga Office Pro”, is mainly black and grey with very small reflectors and two bottle holders on the side and has a plastic cord. Police are asking anyone who has seen a person with the duffel bag or rucksack in the last few days to contact them. They also want those attending the barbeque party to contact them.

Police meticulously combed the area in the Siegaue near the Autobahn 565 on Thursday morning. They were supported by a team in a helicopter. “We don’t know exactly where the perpetrator went and also still don't know whether he planned the incident in advance,” said Scholten.

Bonn police have now received around 180 tip-offs. According to GA information, the 23-year-old and her 26-year-old boyfriend, both students from Baden-Würrtemberg, had met up with friends in the region. On Saturday evening they decided to stay overnight in a tent on a field in the Siegaue. Around 12.30am, the perpetrator, who was described as dark-skinned, apparently threatened them with the branch saw. He forced the woman out of the tent and raped her.

Anyone with information should call police on 02 28/1 50. Original text: Sebastian Laubert and Bernd Linnarz. Translated by Kate Carey.