AN APPEAL has been launched following an allegation a 15-year-old girl was sexually assaulted at a sports ground.

The incident took place at around 6pm on August 12, when a 15-year-old girl reported she was subject to a sexual assault as she was stood in the Ruskin Drive sports ground near to the oval.

It is thought the victim was sheltering from the rain when she was approached by three men.

She claims that one of the men began kissing her and subjected her to sexual touching before she managed to run away and raised the alarm.

The offender is described as white, with ginger hair and facial stubble.

He was wearing trousers and a waistcoat and aged late 30s to early 40s.

Detective Inspector Stephen Ball said: “This must have been a very frightening ordeal for this young girl to go through and we are determined to trace the person responsible.

“It’s possible the offender and his two friends had been in the Sticky Wicket bar and restaurant prior to the assault and I’m appealing for anyone who was in the bar that night, to think back and if you remember any details, to get in contact.

“We have examined CCTV from the area and enquiries are continuing but we are especially keen to trace anyone who maybe remembers the offender(s) from inside the bar or witnessed the assault outside. Any information you may have, no matter how small, could assist with our enquiries and help to bring this offender to justice.”

Anyone who has any information about this incident is asked to DM @MerPolCC or call 101 quoting reference 18200169223 or contact @CrimestoppersUK anonymously on 0800 555111.