Teenager 'gang raped in public toilets'

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A 19-year-old girl was gang raped by four men, while another man kept watch, after she was lured into a public toilet at Sydney's Darling Harbour, police say.

The incident took place about 6.30pm (AEST) on June 8 after the girl was approached by the group of five men while walking along the tourist spot's Darling Walk.

"Four of the men lured her into a toilet where she was sexually assaulted," a police spokeswoman told AAP.

"As a result, City Central Police have established Strike Force Avenel to investigate the assault, along with the Child Protection and Sex Crimes Squad."

Police will appeal to the public to help them identify the men, The Daily Telegraph reports.

Detective Sergeant Adam Lett from the strike force branded the assault a "gutless attack".

"This young lady was shopping when she was randomly targeted," he was quoted as saying.

Police have gathered DNA evidence from the scene that could help them catch the men.

"We're checking for everything from fingerprints to DNA and we're just awaiting the results," Sgt Lett said.

The teenager, from Sydney's south, was approached by the group, aged in their late teens to early 20s, as she walked south along Darling Walk, the paper said.

They then chased her into the toilets near the Chinese Gardens at the end of Liverpool Street, with one man keeping watch while the others violated her for up to an hour.

The men then fled and the teenager ran from the toilet, seeking help from a passer-by who comforted her until police arrived.

She was later treated for her injuries at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, the paper said.