A teenage girl has been sexually assaulted by a man while walking in Radlett, in the middle of the day.

Herts Police investigating the incident, which occurred in Aldenham Road at about 12.45pm on Wednesday, August 12, are appealing for witnesses and information.

A spokeswoman said that the 16-year-old girl had walked along Watling Street and onto Aldenham Road where she was approached by a man from behind as she reached the junction with Station Road.

The man sexually assaulted the victim before she ran off.

The suspect is described as a tanned man in his late 20s, around 6ft tall, of athletic build, with short dark hair.

He was wearing a maroon T-shirt, black trousers, black boots and brown gloves.

Detective Constable Laura Chillingworth said: “I appreciate this incident may cause some concern and I would like to reassure people we are doing all we can to trace the person responsible. We are providing support to the victim and full enquiries are being carried out.”

She added: “The incident occurred at a busy time of day and I am hoping someone may have seen something. If you have any information about the incident, or think you may have seen someone matching the description above in the area around the time, please contact me.”

DC Chillingworth can be phoned via the non-emergency number 101.

Alternatively, contact the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through its anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will not go to court.