Hampshire Police are urgently appealing for witnesses and any information following a distressing incident where a 12-year-old girl was approached and inappropriately touched by a man in Chandler’s Ford. The incident happened early in the morning on Thursday, 7th November at approximately 7:55 a.m. on Hiltingbury Road, near the junction with Lakewood Road.
The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a thin build. At the time of the incident, he was reportedly wearing a dark grey tracksuit, a black baseball cap, and black round sunglasses.
Police are particularly interested in speaking with anyone who was in the area between 7 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. and may have seen a man fitting this description. Additionally, they are seeking any video footage from mobile phones, dash cams, doorbell cameras, or CCTV that may have captured the incident.
Detective Inspector Emma Barrow, leading the investigation, stated: “The victim and her family are being fully supported by specialist officers as we continue our investigation into this incident. I appreciate the understandable concern that an incident such as this one will cause within the local community, and beyond, but I would like to reassure you all that my officers and I are working extremely hard to progress our investigation into this incident.”
Local officers will be conducting inquiries and reassurance patrols in the area. Residents are encouraged to approach them with any information, concerns, or questions they might have.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact the police at 101, quoting incident number 0240485022. Reports can also be made online via the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary website.
For those wishing to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111.
