Schoolgirl sexually assaulted by man with 'distinctive broken nose'

The man approached the girl in Popes Lane, Kings Norton, Birmingham, at around 9.15am yesterday.

He carried the girl into nearby woodland before sexually assaulting her and running off as the girl fought him off.

The girl raised the alarm with a passer-by who escorted her to school.

The attacker was a white man, believed to be in his early 20s, and with what the victim described to be a distinctive nose, possibly broken at some stage, with a noticeable lump.

Sergeant Guy Stephenson from the Child Protection Unit at Ladywood police station, said: "Thankfully the girl was physically unhurt but clearly this was a frightening ordeal for her.

"She did really well in fighting the man off and quickly raising the alarm.

"She's told us the man was dressed all in black – including black trousers, a black woolly hat and gloves – and that a scarf across his face slipped down to expose his nose which she said had a distinctive lump.

"If anyone was in the area at the time and saw a man matching the description, or knows someone who fits the bill, then I'd urge them to contact me immediately on the 101 number."

It's understood the man followed the girl, who had got off a bus nearby, from Kipling Road into Popes Lane and that he left the immediate vicinity on foot.

An area of Popes Lane was cordoned off whilst officers searched the scene with specialist dog units.

CCTV footage is also being examined to see if the offender is caught on camera.

Sergeant Stephenson said that at this stage the attack was being treated as an isolated incident.

He added: "There have not been any other reports of similar approaches to children in the area. We've liaised with the school and a letter has gone out to parents alerting them to the assault and urging them and their children to be vigilant and report suspicious activity."

Anyone with information should call West Midlands Police's Child Protection Unit at Ladywood police station on 101.