Teenage Girl Sexually assaulted in Rochdale

August 24, 2012, 3:49 pm

A teenager was sexually assaulted near a bus stop in Rochdale.

It happened on Manchester Road between 9.15pm and 9.45pm on 22 August 2012.

The 16-year-old girl was sat in the bus shelter opposite Tesco when she was approached by the offender, who after briefly engaging her in conversation, grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her into an alleyway next to the bus stop where he sexually assaulted her.

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The young girl managed to break loose and ran away to a family member’s house, where she raised the alarm.

Police are now appealing to anyone who witnessed the assault to come forward.

A 61-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and bailed until 10 October 2012 pending further inquiries.

Detective Constable Ben Harris said: “As with any investigation in which someone has been sexually assaulted, our primary aim is to support this young woman through specially-trained officers and bring her attacker to justice.

“To do this, we are appealing to the public to help us identify and find this man.

“Although we have made an arrest, this is many ways is just the start of our investigation and I would ask that if anyone either witnessed this attack, or who has information about what happened, that they call us.”

– You can call Greater Manchester Police on 101, or alternatively people can refer themselves to St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre on 0161 276 6515.

– St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Manchester provides a comprehensive and coordinated forensic, counselling and medical aftercare service to anyone in Greater Manchester who has experienced rape or sexual assault. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and people can access them either as a self-referral or via Greater Manchester Police.

– Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential support service run by women for women and girls who have been raped or sexually abused. Confidential helpline: 0161 273 4500. Black and Minority Ethnic helpline: 0161 273 4514.

– Survivors Manchester offers support and counselling for adult male survivors of sexual abuse and rape, regardless of when the event happened. Contact 07919 246 267.