A number of people have contacted the investigation team overnight but the officer leading the inquiry says the offender remains outstanding and believes many more people are likely to have seen him or the victim.
“We need them to come forward. The public can help us identify him. The response overnight is helpful but we need more information of possible sightings,” said Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jamieson, the senior investigating officer.
The offender was a youth carrying a fishing rod and what appears to be a fishing tackle box. He followed the little girl along St Michael’s Street towards the fire station on Friday afternoon (11th April) before luring her to a nearby isolated spot.
She was subjected to a serious sexual assault before the youth – thought to be aged between 13 and late teens – made off.
The incident happened just yards from where traffic was passing on the busy road in and out of the town centre. The critical time when the girl was followed, approached and assaulted is between 3.30pm and 4.30pm.
DCI Jamieson said the suspect was wearing a distinctive hooped jumper or top and carrying a fishing rod and what appeared to be a fishing tackle box. He is also thought to live locally, appearing to have a good knowledge of the area.
He is white, about 5ft 7ins to 5ft 10ins tall and probably aged from around 13 to late teens – possibly of secondary school age. He has dark hair and was wearing a light and dark hooped pattern jumper or top, with light blue trousers or jeans and white shoes or trainers.
The little girl was also quite conspicuous, carrying a large rucksack on her back before the assault.
It’s thought he initially followed her along New Park Road from near its junction with Beacalls Lane and then turned right onto St Michael’s Street, walking towards the fire station.
He then approached the girl, saying he had lost something and asking for help in finding it. She was led to some disused land near the Arc car wash centre and taken behind a container where the assault took place.
DCI Jamieson said today: “Following the appeal for information, we have received an encouraging response with a number of callers providing helpful information. Every single call is now being followed up.
“However, I believe there are others who can assist the investigation who have yet to make contact. There were dozens of motorists passing by at the time and both the victim and the offender must have been seen, either together or separately. It is absolutely vital potential witnesses contact Shrewsbury CID on 101 as a matter of urgency.
“I am asking people who were in the St Michael’s Street area on Friday afternoon to think back and consider if they saw this little girl with a large rucksack on her back or a youth carrying a fishing rod and tackle box, either together or separately.
“Do call us on 101 if you have any information at all, however insignificant it may seem. We remain confident of finding this offender but we need people to come forward with details of possible sightings or any other information which might help identify him.”
Information about the suspect’s identity can also be given to the anonymous Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111, or via the website www.crimestoppers-uk.org.