Hunt for man after girl, 11, is assaulted (From Barry And District News)

Hunt for man after girl, 11, is assaulted

POLICE are hunting for a man who assaulted a girl while she played at a school in the town.

The 11-year-old was on her lunch break on Monday afternoon in the grounds of Bryn Hafren Comprehensive School when a man tried to grab her.

She was with a group of pupils on the school playing fields when the man approached them.

He grabbed the girl but she managed to run away with the others. She was not badly injured and escaped with scratches and bruises.

The man is described as being aged between 18 and 21, white, approximately 6ft tall, with short black hair. He was wearing a long green jacket and black baggy trousers. A police helicopter was launched in an attempt to find the attacker.

Headmaster of Bryn Hafren Comprehensive, Phil Whitcombe, said: "We are concerned that someone has done this when the girls were playing. Police are carrying out investigations.

"We are delighted that the young lady is safe and back at school. The children have been reminded of the need to take care at all times. And that they should remain close to the school buildings in the lunch hours.

"We have an extensive CCTV system covering the school and staff patrol the area. Our priority is the safety of the children. We will continue with our CCTV coverage and continue to patrol the school.

"We are pleased this was an isolated incident and hope this dangerous person will be apprehended."

l This incident follows an attempted abduction in Barry Island on Friday, May 6, when a man tried to drag two ten-year-old girls into an alley way. Police are not linking the two incidents but have urged parents and children to be vigilant.

Anyone with any information on either case can contact Barry CID on 01446 731606 or Crimestoppers on 08000 555111.