A TEN-YEAR-OLD was among three girls allegedly assaulted on a bus travelling from St Helens to Liverpool on Saturday afternoon.

Police say that at 4.20pm the girls, two aged 14 years and the 10-year-old, got on the 10A bus in St Helens and went up to the top deck.

When the bus stopped at Nutgrove in St Helens three teenage boys got on the bus and it is alleged they started to shout lewd and sexual comments at the girls. 

When the girls ignored them the teenagers allegedly started to assault one of the girls.

Her friends tried to help her and they too were assaulted, say police.

The girls managed to get free from their alleged attackers and ran down to the lower deck of the bus where they told the driver what had happened and they got off in Huyton.

The teenagers stayed on the bus. 

The girls returned home and told their parents and the incident was reported to the police. 

One of the alleged offenders is described as 16 years of age, “lanky” with long shoulder length black hair. He was wearing a black jacket. 

The second boy is described as 16 years of age, “lanky”, with a “spotty” complexion and long shoulder length brown hair. He was wearing a blue jacket. 

The third boy is described as 14 years of age and with ginger hair. He was wearing a black hat. 

Temp Supt Jonathan Davies said: “The girls involved in this incident were really shaken up following this despicable attack and an investigation is underway to find those involved.

"Detectives are carrying out inquiries into the incident and are seeking CCTV in a bid to identify the offenders.” 

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or recognises the descriptions of the offenders, is asked to contact detectives at St Helens CID on 0151 777 6883 , or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.