`Coronation Street` star William Roache arrested on rape claim

London: `Coronation Street` star William Roache has been arrested on suspicion of raping a 15-year-old girl in the 1960s.

Police officers said that the offenses are alleged to have been committed in Haslingden between April and July 1967, reported BBC online. Neither Roache, 81, who has played Ken Barlow in the soap since 1960, nor his representatives have commented. "Given that a police investigation is under way it would not be appropriate to comment," a `Coronation Street` spokesman said. A spokesman for Lancashire Police said, "An 81-year-old man from Wilmslow in Cheshire has this morning, Wednesday May 1 2013, been arrested by Lancashire Constabulary on suspicion of rape. The man will be interviewed at a police station in Lancashire during the course of the day. "We take all allegations of sexual abuse extremely seriously and would encourage people with any information about sexual abuse, or anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse, to come forward and report their concerns confident in the knowledge they will be investigated appropriately and with sensitivity." Two police officers are stationed by the closed wrought iron gates outside the star`s home. A growing press pack of TV cameras, photographers and reporters have also gathered outside the property. Roache holds the Guinness World Records for being the world`s longest-serving soap actor, having played Ken Barlow since `Coronation Street`s first episode. PTI