Young Girl Assaulted in Tilehurst

31 March 2012, 07:43

A 12-year-old girl has been assaulted as she walked in the Tilehurst area on Sunday.

Thames Valley Police say the girl was walking in Langley Hill just after 2pm on the 25 March when she was followed by a man who overtook her, stopped and stared at her.

When she told him to go away, he allegedly grabbed her by the arm and swore at her, before kicking her in the side, causing her to fall to the ground. 

He then kicked her again before running off up the hill towards Tilehurst.

The girl was injured in her lower ribs and was seen by paramedics but did not receive hospital treatment.

The man is decribed as black, in his early thirties, 6ft 3ins, of large build, with a Jamaican or West Indies accent. He had dark hair, short stubble and was wearing thick-rimmed black pastic glasses.

PC Shaun Bull, investigating, said their investigation is still in the early days;

"We are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident or has any other information which may assist us. In particular, we would like to hear from anyone who saw a man hanging around outside the shops at the bottom of Royal Avenue, Calcot.”

Extra neighbourhood patrols are being carried out to provide reassurance for worried parents. Police say there is no need to panic but say people should take sensible personal safety precautions when out and about.