Schoolgirl, 12, ‘raped in alleyway by man in balaclava less than a mile from where second girl the same age was assaulted weeks earlier’
Youngster was grabbed from behind as she walked close to a pub in the afternoon
THERE are fears a serial rapist could be on the loose in Manchester after two 12-year-old girls were raped in three months - just a mile apart.
Cops are carrying out extra patrols after a 12-year-old schoolgirl was reportedly dragged into an alleyway by a man in a balaclava and raped on November 22.
The man came up behind the youngster as she walked in Levenshulme, Manchester.
Police said the girl disclosed last week that the incident took place on Tuesday November 22, 2016.
She said she was in Chapel Street near the Horseshoe pub between 4pm and 4.30pm when she was grabbed from behind and dragged into an alleyway.
The man later ran off.
He is described as wearing dark clothing, a woollen balaclava and was 6ft plus in height.
Patrols have been stepped up in the area with door-to-door inquiries being conducted.
In September police sealed off a park in Levenshulme after another 12-year-old was reportedly raped.
Officers told the Manchester Evening News they were "keeping an open mind" about if the two incidents could be linked.
Speaking about November's attack Chief Inspector John-Paul Ruffle, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "The girl is understandably very distressed and we continue to offer her our help and support.
"She was extremely brave reporting this to police and we will do everything in our power to find the man responsible for this attack.
"Detectives are currently gathering as much information as possible, while a team of officers have been speaking to residents in the local area to see if they heard or saw anything that night.
"Incidents of this nature will understandably concern the community and I want to assure you that this investigation is a priority of ours and we have a team working round the clock.
"If you think you might have seen something suspicious in the area at the time of the offence, or have any information, I would urge you to contact us."
Anyone with information can contact police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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