A manhunt has begun after a 14-year-old girl was sexually assaulted in Ribbleton.
AdvertisementPolice are appealong for witnesses to come forward after the girl was followed home after an evening out.
Lancashire Police say at 8.10am on Monday 30 September the girl was walking along Ribbleton Avenue when a man tried to engage her in conversation.
She continued to walk home but as she nearer the RSPCA animal shelter the man dragged her down a set of stairs opposite the old health centre.
He subjected her to a sexual assault before running off in the direction of Ribbleton Hall Drive.
Police believe the man “was disturbed.”
The man is dscribed as between 25 to 30-years-old, tall and of muscular build.
He has a tanned complexion, light brown hair combed over to the side and blue eyes. He was weasring a brown jacket, blue knee length shorts and a bluze and white horizontal striper top.
Detective Inspector Warren Atkinson said: “This is a serious offence against a vulnerable young girl and we urgently need witnesses to come forward to help us catch the man responsible.
“The incident took place on a set of steps that lead from the main road down to some wasteland between the RSPCA building and the Grange Estate on Ribbleton Avenue. I’d be keen to speak with anyone that saw a couple in this area.
“Immediately after the attack a man has walked past the victim on Longridge Avenue and we are keen for him to make contact with us as he may hold vital information that will lead to the early identification and arrest of the offender.
“I’d also ask people to think carefully about this man’s description and to think back to Monday night. If anyone recalls seeing a man in the Ribbleton area, particularly around the One Shop I’d ask them to call police on 101.
“I’d reassure the community that we have stepped up patrols in the area and there is a dedicated team of detectives dedicated to finding the man who carried out this attack and bringing him to justice. The girl was left badly shaken and is receiving professional support.
“This is an isolated incident and a large team of officers are working hard to identify and arrest the offender.”
Officers have carried out numerous CCTV, forensic and house to house inquires. Anyone with any information about this incident should contact Lancashire Police on 101.