Appeal for witnesses after teenage girl sexually assaulted on her way to school

The 16-year-old was walking through Woodside Park, near the Highgate Road entrance at around 8.20am on Tuesday, September 8, when she was approached by a man who asked her for the time.

The man continued to talk to her and the girl tried to ignore him, but he then touched her inappropriately before running back into the park.

He is described as white, around 5ft 4ins, in his 20s and of a medium build. He had dark, messy brown hair and was wearing grey tracksuit bottoms and a black top.

Detective Constable Thomas Cunningham-Smith from Brierley Hill police station said: "We would like to reassure people that this is an isolated matter and we are doing all we can to find the man responsible.

"The girl was not hurt in the assault but was understandably left extremely shaken. We have been carrying out patrols in the area and would ask anyone who was in the park that morning - or in the days leading up to the offence - and saw a man matching the description given to call us.

"Now all the schools are back after the summer break, we would like to remind all students about stranger danger and to consider their personal safety when walking to and from school.

"Always walk with a friend if possible but if not, make sure you stick to populated and well-lit areas."

Anyone with information about the assault can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.