Police cordon
Police cordon Reuters

Police are searching for a man, who is alleged to have sexually assaulted an 11-year-old girl in Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.

The girl was at a picnic site with her family in Fort Victoria on Saturday (6 September) morning when she was approached by a man who assaulted her before walking away, Hampshire Police said.

Detective Sergeant John Stirling said: "This was a rare but very serious incident against a child, during the day in a busy picnic site.

"We would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious in the area or who recognises the man from the description."

The man was said to be white with pale skin, aged in his 50s, with grey hair and was clean shaven. He was desribed as around six feet tall, of average build and with a deep voice. He was wearing a short-sleeved shirt with dark blue and light blue stripes and blue jeans.

A man arrested on Saturday was released and no further action is to be taken against him.

Meanwhile, police have stepped up patrols in the area over the weekend to reassure the local community.