At around 3.45pm on Friday afternoon, a 10-year-old girl was walking along St Michael’s Street towards Ditherington Road when she was approached from, behind by a teenage boy who asked her to help him find something he had lost.
He led her to a disused area near the Arc car wash centre where he took her out of sight behind a container and sexually assaulted her for some time. He left the area and the girl left later and raised the alarm. The girl has described her attacker as being white and aged between 13 and 17.
Detective Chief Inspector Jon Marsden, who is leading the investigation, said: “Such crimes are extremely rare, but clearly this is a very worrying offence and we need to find the youth responsible as soon as possible.
“We have a team of officers working on the case, including specially trained officers who, over the weekend, have been working with the girl and her family. We have also conducted forensic tests, house-to-house inquiries and a trawl of CCTV in the area.
“We are at the early stages of the investigation, so are unable to release many details at this stage, but we hope to be able to give further updates in the coming days.
“We need anyone who was in the area of St Michael’s Street on Friday afternoon and saw anyone acting suspiciously to get in touch – any tiny piece of information could be useful. We would particularly like to speak to anyone who saw a teenage male with a younger girl between 3.45pm and 4pm.
“Also, if you think you may know who the boy is, you need to contact the police immediately. We believe he is local, not least because he seems to have good knowledge of the area.
DCI Marsden added that until he is found, families are advised to take simple steps to make sure their children are as safe as possible. “Without wanting to alarm parents and guardians too much, I would recommend that, if at all possible, primary school-aged children are supervised when away from home either by yourselves or a trusted adult.
“This week it is the Easter holidays, so for the time being, we suggest parents make sure they know where their children are and if possible stay in contact via mobile phone.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Shrewsbury CID via the non-emergency police number, 101. Information can passed on anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Quote the reference number 599s 11/04/14.
Police Update:
Investigating officers believe the offender is likely to live locally.
They say the assault was carried out by a youth, aged from around 13 up to late teens.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jamieson this afternoon appealed for the youth or his parents to come forward now. “We are confident we will trace the person responsible and it is better they contact the police now rather than waiting for officers to call.
“There is a strong possibility he lives locally – in the vicinity of where the assault took place. He appeared to have a good knowledge of the immediate area.
“I am also urging anyone who may have information to assist the investigation to contact Shrewsbury CID by calling 101 as a matter of urgency.”
He added that such offences were rare and without wishing to raise undue concern, advised parents of young children to make sure they are safely supervised during the Easter school holiday.