North Tyneside Rapist
Hotspur Road in Wallsend, North Tyneside, where the 15-year-old girl was raped in a car.

Police have appealed for the public's help in finding a man who snatched a 15-year-old girl and raped her.

The incident occurred in North Tyneside, as the schoolgirl waited for a bus, between 10.55pm on Friday April 25 and 11.30pm on Saturday April 26.

She told police she was approached by a man in his late 40s or early 50s at the bus stop in Wallsend, near Newcastle.

He is said to have grabbed her and bundled her into the front seat of his vehicle. He then drove to a residential street around Hotspur Road where he raped her.

The girl managed to escape after the attack, but police say she has been left traumatised by the incident.

The man is described as being white and around 5ft 3ins tall, with a large build and shaved grey hair. He spoke with a Geordie accent.

Police are eager to speak to any witnesses who may have information about the man.

Detective Sergeant Rob Ridley, from Northumbria Police, said: "This was an extremely serious offence and detectives are doing all they can to apprehend the man responsible.

"This has been a traumatic experience for the girl involved and we are working with her and her family to support them as much as we can.

"We would appeal for the public's help and ask that anyone with information or anyone who recognises the man from his description come forward as they may have vital information to assist us."'

Anyone with information should contact Northumbria Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.