Hunt for man after girl, 8, attacked in city centre

Officers said the man followed the girl as she walked home along Gloucester Street, in Brighton, at about 8.15am yesterday morning (May 5).

The girl had gone to post a letter for here parents in the nearby post box in North Road and as she turned into Tidy Street the man ran up and grabbed her, pushing her to the ground.

Police said two passers-by witnessed the incident and the man ran off in the direction of Trafalgar Street.

The girl was severely shocked but did not need hospital treatment, police added.

The man is described as white, in his twenties, about 5’6”, slim and with dark hair, wearing jeans and a beige jacket.

Detective Inspector Lee Horner said; “The motive for this attack is not clear and we have no other recent reports of similar approaches to young children.

“It was a very frightening experience for the young girl and we need to find this man as quickly as possible.

“If you were in the area on Saturday morning and saw anything of what happened, or if you have any other information, please contact us right away on 101 or online, quoting Operation Overdown.”