Parents were today warned to be on their guard after an 11-year-old York girl was indecently assaulted as she walked home from school.
The attack took place only streets away from the scene of another incident in which a man made sexual suggestions to a six-year-old boy last week.
Police do not believe the two incidents are linked, but officers say the indecent assault victim and a schoolfriend who was with her at the time of the attack were both extremely upset by what happened.
The attacker pounced as the girl and a friend, also 11, were making their way home from school in Acomb just before 5pm on Wednesday.
As the girls stepped out of a telephone box on Cornlands Road they were approached by a man who had been hanging around.
He indecently assaulted one of the girls before offering her money to accompany him to a park.
The victim was not physically harmed, but police say both girls were fearful about what might have happened if they had met the man alone.
Today, pupils at the girls' school were warned by their headteacher about the dangers of talking to strangers.
Parents are being warned to be vigilant and to report any possible siting of the man to the police immediately.
Acting detective inspector Phil Roberts said: "We want to track down this man sooner rather than later and would appeal to anyone who may have seen anything suspicious or who thinks they may have information regarding the identity of this man to come contact the York crime desk.
"Our inquiries are ongoing and we are still checking our computer records as well as carrying out investigations in the area."
The indecent assault suspect is described as being in his late 20s and about 5ft 9in tall with balding, short fair hair and a plump face.He was wearing a red checked shirt and blue jeans and had black shoes and a black, three-quarter-length coat.
The incident involving the six-year-old took place last Friday. The youngster was playing in Rogers Court, Foxwood, when he was approached by a man who made indecent suggestions.
No attempt was made to grab the boy and the man fled the scene after speaking to him.
The man is described as white, aged between 25 and 40 years, 5ft 9ins tall, with short dark hair. He was wearing a dark tracksuit and trainers.
Witnesses or anyone with information about either incident should call York police on 01904 631321.
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