DETECTIVES investigating the serious sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl are appealing for two young men seen near the phone box where she made her 999 call to contact them.
A motorist has told police that she remembers seeing a young girl in a phone box on Burgess Road, near to Southampton Common, at about 10pm on Sunday evening.
She also remembers seeing two young men both described as in their late teens, talking to the young girl and gesturing at her. She then saw them walking in the Winchester Road direction.
Detective Inspector Bob Duncan, who is leading the inquiry, said it was important for the public to stay calm.
He said: "We are urging these two lads to get in contact with us. They may not have understood why the girl was in such a state and they could be vital witnesses.
"We are still treating this as an isolated incident. These attacks are sickening but very rare.
"However, we would advise young girls to travel in pairs when visiting friends or other locations in the Millbrook area.
"The attack victim is bearing up extremely well given her ordeal and has been very helpful to our inquiries. She is very brave."
One of the two men seen near the Burgess Road phone box is described as between 5ft 10in and 6ft with cropped hair and wearing dark clothing. The other was about 5ft 7in, of stocky build and wearing a white T-shirt with stripes.
They are urged to contact Hulse Road incident room on 0845 045 4545.
Police continue to appeal for anyone near All Saints' Church in Kendal Avenue, Millbrook, where the 13-year-old girl was abducted by a man driving a dark blue Astra-style car sometime after 8.30pm, to come forward.
They also want to hear from anyone who was in Winchester Road where she managed to get out of the car and run away before being pulled back into the car.
The girl was interviewed by specially trained police officers and social workers yesterday afternoon and has described her attacker as in his mid-40s, with collar-length black hair and bushy eyebrows.
Anyone who can help is urged to contact the Hulse Road incident room or the Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.
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