Appeal made in Andover sexual assault investigation

We are appealing for witnesses to come forward as part of our investigation into a sexual assault on a 16-year-old girl in Andover.

It was reported that the girl was approached by a man she did not know as she walked along the path that runs behind the commercial units in River Way, near to the Enham Arch roundabout, sometime between 4pm and 4.30pm on Monday 16 January.

As she got to the tunnel between the units and the river, the man grabbed her arm and forced her to touch him. The girl was able to break free and ran away.

The girl did not receive serious injuries and the incident was reported to police later that evening.

The man has been described as:

• White
• Around 6ft 1ins tall
• Of skinny build
• Aged in his late teens/early 20s
• Having a deep voice with a local accent
• Wearing a black hooded top, with a front pouch and two drawstrings with metal on the ends, and black loose-fitting straight-legged jeans

Detective Inspector Mike Higgins said: “We know this is a concerning incident and an investigation is underway to establish exactly what took place.

“This is a well-used path and we know other people were there at around this time.

“Were you there? Did you see what happened? Or did you see a man matching the description given?

“Please contact us if you have any information that could help the officers investigating this incident.

“Officers are carrying out high-visibility patrols in this area, so if you see them and have concerns, please speak to them.”

Anyone with information on this incident can contact police on 101, quoting the reference number 44230021013.

You can contact us online here: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.