Moving footage of man wanted over schoolgirl assaults

Date published: 23 June 2010

Officers investigating a number of sexual assaults in Bury have released moving footage of a man seen at the time of one of the attacks.

The investigation team has released the footage to jog the memories of shoppers and get anyone who knows the man to come forward.

There have been four confirmed incidents between Friday 13 November 2009 and Monday 25 January 2010 in Unsworth, Whitefield, Bury town centre and Prestwich.

On each occasion, a teenage girl was approached by a man and later discovered a sticky white substance on her skirt or tights.

In each incident, the offender was described as being a white man, aged between 25 and 35 and was carrying a bag. On a couple of occasions he was wearing a hat.

Following an appeal in February, two men aged 27 and 30 were arrested on suspicion of sexual assault. Both men were eliminated and released without charge.

Detective Chief Inspector Lynne Vernon, from Bury CID, said: "There have been no new incidents since January but we will not give up on trying to find this person. I'd ask people to take a good look at the footage and if he looks familiar, please contact me.

"All information given to my team can be treated in the strictest of confidence and we can quickly eliminate anyone who is not responsible, like we have already done with two names that were given to us by the public following our first appeal.

"I do not want anyone to be unnecessarily frightened - incidents like this are extremely rare and we will continue working hard to ensure that anyone who does act in this way is dealt with appropriately."

Anyone with information is asked to call Bury CID on 0161 856 8150 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.