Police have released CCTV images of a man they want to quiz in connection with the attempted rape of 10-year-old girl.
The child was walking with friends in Openshaw, Greater Manchester, on Saturday afternoon, when she became separated from them.
A man approached her and led her to an area of wasteland where he sexually assaulted her before attempting to rape her.
Pictured: The man police want to speak to in connection with the attempted rape of 10-year-old girl in Openshaw, Greater Manchester, on Saturday
The girl was walking with friends when the suspect approached her and led her to an area of wasteland where he sexually assaulted her
Police were called to the scene, off Kincraig Street, shortly after 2pm after the girl managed to flee and run towards a dog walker who raised the alarm.
Officers conducted an immediate search of the area but the offender could not be located.
Further enquiries have since established that a man matching the description of the offender was seen arriving at the nearby Clayton Hall tram stop at 1.33pm after travelling there on the Ashton line from the previous tram stop, Edge Lane.
Greater Manchester Police are hunting a suspected sex attacker who tried to rape a 10-year-old girl near Kincraig Close in Openshaw, Manchester
He was also spotted in other locations in Openshaw that day, both before and after the incident took place.
Detectives are keeping an open mind as to whether or not the offender may have come from a different area of Greater Manchester.
Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Boyce, of GMP’s City of Manchester Division, said: ‘We are continuing to do all we can to find the man responsible for this horrendous attack on an innocent young girl but we still need the public’s help.
Patrols have been stepped up in the area near Kincraig Close in Openshaw (shown on map)
‘We have released images of a man that we wish to speak to in connection with this incident and I would like to appeal to anyone who may recognise him to please come forward.
‘If you see the man pictured then please do not approach him but contact us straightaway instead.’
Anyone with information should call CID on 0161 856 1146, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555.