A 15-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by a man as she went to meet her mother.

The teenager was walking through a wooded footpath between Barnes Road and upper Deacon Road, Bitterne, Southampton, at about 10pm on Friday, April 27, when she was grabbed from behind and attacked by the man.

A second man, thought to be in his 60s and wearing a light-coloured anorak and dark trousers, walked past when the attack was happening and police believe he may not have realised that the girl was being attacked.

Officers are appealing for him to come forward, and would also like to hear from anyone else who saw the attack, or saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area.

The attacker is described as white, of average build and height, and aged 25 to 35.

Call Det Sgt Stephen White on 0845 045 4545 or Crime-stoppers on 0800 555 111.