Nine-year-old girl sexually assaulted

Police are hunting a man who sexually assaulted a nine-year-old girl in Heywood.

Shortly after 2.30pm on Sunday (5 September 2010), police were called to an alleyway near Sabden Close and Partington Street, Heywood, following a report the girl was sexually assaulted.

A man had grabbed her while she walked through the passageway and attacked her.

The girl managed to break free and run away to safety.

The man is described as white, about 30-years-old, of a muscular build with very short light brown hair and wearing a T-shirt with a black waistcoat. He also had colourful tattoos on his arms.

Superintendent Martin Greenhalgh, of GMP's Rochdale division, said: "What has happened to this girl is appalling. She has been left extremely distressed by her ordeal.

"It is vital this man is caught.

"A dedicated team of detectives are working exclusively and tirelessly on this.

"In addition to their ongoing work, I'd urge anyone who might be able to help us to call us straight away. Did you see a man in the area between 1pm and 2pm on Sunday? You may think what you saw or heard was insignificant, but I'd ask you to call us, as it could be the key for us to solve this crime.

"I do not want to panic the community, because attacks like this are thankfully extremely rare but I'd urge people to be vigilant and it may be a good idea for children to stick together."

Anyone with any information should call Rochdale CID on 0161 856 4646 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.