Police call for cyclists to come forward after assault on five-year-old (From This is Hampshire)

Police call for cyclists to come forward after assault on five-year-old

4:53pm Tuesday 11th September 2012 in Andover

YOUNG men who ride blue or dark blue bikes near Cricketers Way have been asked to come forward by Andover police so they can be eliminated from a police hunt for a suspected sex pest.

Detectives are investigating the assault of a five-year-old girl on Sunday, 2 September between 5.30pm and 7pm in the densely populated Andover estate.

The assault, in the area of Dexter Square and Cowdrey Square, is now believed to have been sexually motivated.

The girl was approached by a young man and was taken to an area near the bus stop and assaulted.

Following the assault, it is believed the young man cycled off into the Swallowfields estate and the girl made her way home.

Officers are continuing to try and trace a young man on a blue push bike who was in Cricketers Way about 5pm and are appealing for information and witnesses to help them identify him.

He is described as being in his late teens or early 20s and was wearing a blue top.

Detective Inspector Tim Ireson, from Andover CID, said: “We have carried out extensive enquiries as part of our investigation and we would like any boys or men aged between 12 and 25 who were cycling in the area on a blue or dark blue bike to get in touch so we can eliminate them from our enquiries.

“It also appears that this assault was sexually motivated, although I would like to stress that the girl was not physically hurt in any way. “We are continuing with our investigation and we have officers from our neighbourhood and response teams patrolling the area and speaking with the community.

“If you have any information that can help us, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, please get in touch.”

Anyone with any information should contact Andover CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers, the charity, anonymously on 0800 555 111.