A MAN indecently assaulted a 15-year-old schoolgirl as she walked with a friend through a Hampshire town centre.

The youngsters were left shaken and scared after the attack in the middle of Fareham.

Detectives hunting the attacker are studying CCTV footage captured in the town centre.

As the girls walked behind the town's West Street Museum, a man who was sat on a bench began talking to them and the victim and her 14-year-old pal went to sit on the bench next to him.

The man then started to make inappropriate remarks to the girl and touched her. The frightened girls ran away and reported the incident to police.

Officers say the man they are looking for is of Asian or Arabic appearance, in his 40s, about 5ft 5in and of large build with a round face. He was bald with small patches of hair at the side of his face.

The girls also said he was wearing black trousers and a dark-coloured long coat and carrying two carrier bags.

Sergeant Michelle Hamer said: "Incidents like this are rare in Fareham but obviously it was distressing for the victim and her friend.

"We have conducted extensive inquiries so far including reviewing CCTV from the area in a bid to identify the offender but we hope this description will jog the memories of anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident."

"I would urge anyone who recognises this man or has any information to contact us."

Anyone with any information about the incident, which happened on Monday, April 2, at 9pm, should call Park Gate Police station on 0845 045 4545 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.