Appeal after Thornaby Incident

Around 6pm on Tuesday 8^th August, police received a report of a common assault on a 12-year-old girl, who had been walking along Baysdale Road in Thornaby when a dark vehicle skidded to a halt nearby and a man wearing a balaclava had got out of the vehicle and ran after her.

There was no attempt to grab the girl or speak with her.

The girl ran, and when she looked back the man had got back into the vehicle which then drove away.

There were two males in the vehicle, both described as wearing dark clothing with their faces covered.

Officers attended the area and the vehicle was not located.

Detective Sergeant Matt Brophy from Stockton CID said: “We know that a report like this can be concerning to the local community and so we would like to reassure residents in the area of Thornaby that we are working to identify the men in the vehicle, to establish the full circumstances of what happened.

“We have been carrying out enquiries in the local area in regards to CCTV and would appeal to anyone who may have information to contact us.”

Enquiries are ongoing and anyone who may have information is asked to contact Stockton CID on the non-emergency number 101, quoting incident reference number 157123.

Independent charity Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.