Girl, 14, raped outside Burnley shopping centre on New Year's Day
Lancashire police are hunting for a male suspect in his 30s or 40s with dark curly hair, a tanned complexion and a short beard.
Wednesday 2 January 2019 10:55, UK
Police are searching for a suspect after a 14-year-old girl was raped outside a shopping centre on New Year's Day.
The teenager was attacked at around 9am at the bottom of steps close to the Charter Walk mall in Burnley, Lancashire.
The male suspect is described as being in his 30s or 40s, having short dark curly hair, a tanned complexion and a short beard.
He was wearing dark clothing and it is believed he left the shopping centre in the direction of Church Street.
Detective Inspector Tim McDermott said: "We would like to reassure the public that incidents of this type are rare and we have a number of officers working on the enquiry.
"The girl is being supported by specially trained officers and I would appeal to anyone who was in that area this morning and saw anything they think relevant to contact us immediately."
:: Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting log number 913 of 1 January.