POLICE have warned Chester residents to be `extra vigilant' after a schoolgirl was indecently assaulted in the city in broad daylight.
The 14-year-old was walking along Garden Lane when she was grabbed by two men and pulled into an alleyway on Cambrian Road. Chester police are appealing for witnesses to the attack, which took place last Wednesday between 2pm and 3pm.
`The girl was walking past the old post off ice on Garden Lane when she was pulled into an alleyway between Orchard Street and Cambrian Road,' said detective inspector Andy Fletcher. `We would like anybody who may have seen the 14-year-old victim in the company of the two men or who may have any information at all to come forward.
`Anybody who sees anything suspicious, no matter how minor it may seem to them, should report it to the police immediately because it could prove to be significant for us.'
Although the incident took place last week, the victim, who is said to have been badly shaken, did not report it to the police until the weekend.
DI Fletcher said she was able to give detailed descriptions of her attackers, some details may prove signif icant. The f irst man was a white male, in his mid 30s, about 5ft 9ins and of stocky build. He had short brown hair, light coloured eyebrows and a square jaw-line.
Crucially, the girl noticed the man had a distinctive scar, which ran from his right eye-brow to his cheek bone.
The second man is described as white with a darker complexion. His hair was receding and he had a shaved head. He was around 5ft 8ins tall and even stockier than the f irst man. He is believed to be in his late thirties or early forties.
DI Fletcher said police are not linking last week's incident with the spate of five indecent assaults which took place in the Garden Lane area earlier this year. Nobody was arrested for those attacks. `After looking at the evidence I am satisfied there is no link,' said DI Fletcher.
`But I would urge people to be extra vigilant and not to walk alone in those areas. This is a general crime prevention warning, but given the recent event, people should be particularly careful in the Garden Lane area.
`We are carrying out patrols as part of a re-assurance package. We would encourage people to access the Cool Kids section on the Cheshire Police website where information on how children can keep safe is available.'
Anyone with information can contact Chester CID on 01244 613133 or leave confidential information on Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Cool Kids can be found at www.cheshire.police.uk
