A toddler was sexually assaulted in her push chair by a ‘dirty and unkempt’ man as a mother was waiting to cross a Bolton road along with her other children.
As they were waiting to cross Smith Lane at the junction of Darwin Road in Bromley Cross, the mother turned from talking to her son to see a man inappropriately touching her two-year-old daughter.
When the mother confronted him during the broad daylight attack at 3.50pm on Wednesday, he moved his hand and ran off.
Detective Constable Richard Barrett from Astley Bridge police station made the point that incidents like this are very rare, but acknowledged they will cause concern in the community.
“I’m certain that at that time in the afternoon there will have been many people about in the street using the shops or picking their children up from school, so I’m asking anyone who has any information to call us,” he said.
“The victim’s mother has been able to give us a full description of the offender, so I’d also urge people to think as to whether they know who this man is.”
The man is described as white, of heavy build and a large belly, and he has shoulder length grey hair and grey stubble.
He appeared dirty and unkempt and was wearing a dark zip up jacket which looked too small for him, navy blue jogging bottoms and he was carrying a plain white carrier bag.
Anyone with any information should call police on 0161 856 5761 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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