Arrests have been made in connection with two alleged rapes after a regional daily defied a police request “not to draw attention” to the nature of the crimes being investigated.

The Hull Daily Mail and its Hull Live sister website revealed detectives were searching for suspects in connection with two incidents in the city.

However the fact that the investigations related to suspected rapes were not initially mentioned in police appeals, and Humberside Police only confirmed the true nature of the incidents after the Mail discovered the information.

According to senior reporter Susie Beever, pictured, the newspaper was asked at that point not to draw this to the public’s attention.

Posting about the site’s coverage on Twitter, Susie wrote: “We found out Humberside Police were investigating a number of recent rapes in Hull, but asked us not to draw attention to this so as not to ‘scare people’.

“The force also issued a message for women to ‘stay safe’, before this was retracted.

“We at Hull Live disagree with this stance. Women in the city where only last year, student Libby Squire was raped and murdered after going on a night out, have a right to know about these attacks.”

Three arrests have now been made in relation to the incidents, which took place at two separate city locations, after the Mail revealed the nature of the crimes.

A man has been charged with rape and possession of cannabis in relation to the first attack, while two people are on bail in relation to the second incident.

Discussing the first incident, a piece on Hull Live stated: “It is understood that the precise nature of the incident was originally not disclosed for operational reasons, including worry from officers that it could cause public panic.

“Police were also concerned that the public may incorrectly assume that the attacks were the work of one perpetrator, which officers do not believe to be the case.”

Prior to the arrests being made, Humberside Police assistant chief constable Darren Downs sought to explain the force’s stance.

He told the Mail: “We have a team of highly trained senior investigating officers that put the needs of the victim first and are reassured to know that our investigative approach delivers positive outcomes for even the most serious of crimes across the region.

“Crimes of this nature are complex and challenging and the timely sharing of information can often help us to bring perpetrators to justice. However, in some instances, issuing information can hamper our investigation.

“Securing a positive outcome for our victims is our number one priority. I am completely reassured that we provide the right information to the community, at the right time, in every investigation we carry out.”

HTFP has approached the Mail for further comment.