Witness appeal following sexual assault in Farnborough

We are appealing for witnesses and information following a report that a boy was sexually assaulted in Farnborough.

Between 1.45pm and 2pm on Sunday 10 July, an eight-year-old boy was in the Princess Mead Shopping Centre toilets when a man tried to pull down his trousers.

He screamed and managed to exit the toilets before finding his mother. The boy did not sustain any injuries.

Officers have been carrying out extensive enquiries and a 19-year-old man, from Farnborough, has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting a boy under 13 by touching. He has been released on conditional bail.

After reviewing CCTV images, officers believe there were potential witnesses either in the toilets or nearby when the incident took place.

Officers are appealing for those members of the public to come forward if they have any information that may help the investigation.

Investigating officer, DC Holly Searle, said: “We know that this incident is likely to cause concern in the local community.

“However, please be assured that we are taking this report very seriously and have been carrying out extensive enquiries.

“We are keen to hear from anyone who was in the area, shopping centre, or near the toilets when this incident happened.

“Please get in touch if you have any information that could help our investigation.”

Were you in the area at the time? Did you see or hear anything suspicious? Did you witness the incident described above?

If anyone has information that could help, please call 101 quoting the reference number 44220276052.

Alternatively, go online and submit information via https://www.hampshire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/