Schoolgirl, 11, sexually assaulted on path as cops release photo of suspect and launch urgent appeal
AN urgent appeal has been launched by cops after an 11-year-old girl was sexually assaulted on a pathway.
Cops have released images of a man they want to question after the incident on Monday in Portsmouth, Hampshire.
A man approached the youngster and made sexual comments before touching her inappropriately, cops said.
In a statement, police described the suspect as being a black man of slim build aged between 18 and 25, with dark hair.
Cops said the man was dressed all in black, apart from a white t-shirt with a vest over the top of it. He was also carrying a small bag.
At approximately 4.30pm on Monday, the girl was walking along a path which leads out of Stamshaw Park in the direction of Rudmore roundabout when a man approached her and took hold of her arm, police said in a statement.
A force spokesman said: "He then made inappropriate comments towards her and touched her over her clothing.
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"The girl managed to get away from him. He followed her for a short distance but left once she reached Rudmore roundabout and called police."
The youngster is currently being supported by specialist officers.
"We have been conducting enquiries since this incident was reported to us and now have these images of a man, seen in the area at the time, who we would like to speak to in connection with our investigation," cops added.
The force has appealed to anyone who was in the area at the time who saw what happened, the moments leading up to it or the aftermath.
They have also appealed to anyone who was driving near the area who might have caught something on dash cam.
Anyone with any information that may assist police enquiries, no matter how small it may seem, is asked to call them on 101 quoting 44220351818.
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