Boy as young as 12 sought by police over Manchester sex attacks

Greater Manchester Police are linking three assaults near a university campus

Undated handout evofit image issued by Greater Manchester Police of a boy aged just 12, who may be responsible for a string of sex attacks around a university campus (Greater Manchester Police )

A teenage boy, who may be as young as 12, is wanted in connection with a string of sexual assaults around a Manchester university campus, police appealing for information have said.

Greater Manchester Police are linking three assaults which took place in the last month near the University of Manchester and have released a computerised image of the boy which they say makes the incidents “even more shocking” because of his young appearance.

Det Ch Insp Colin Larkin told the BBC that he was "concerned as to this boy's behaviour".

He said: "We don't want it to escalate. We don't want any more victims assaulted.”

Police say the first two attacks occurred within 15 minutes of each other on 21 September.

A 27-year-old was approached from behind and grabbed in Lloyd Street North at 6.15pm before she screamed and the offender ran away.

In another incident, a 21-year-old woman was approached on Oxford Road by a boy who made lewd comments as she left John Rylands library.

She carried on walking on Moss Lane East and was sexually assaulted by her assailant, who she described as a young Asian boy aged 12 wearing green jeans and glasses.

The third attack took place at the Manchester Science Park in Lloyd Street South at about 2.15pm on 5 October.

A 32-year-old woman was approached by two young boys and sexually assaulted by one of them, who she described as Asian, 12 to 13 years old, of slim build, with a small frame. She said he was wearing baggy trousers and carried a rucksack on his back.

She pushed the boy away but he approached her again and sexually assaulted her for a second time before running off towards Pencroft Way in company with the second child, also described as a young Asian boy, according to police.

Detective Constable Pam Collins from Longsight Police Station said: “After speaking to the women, we have managed to complete an evofit of the suspect. As you can see from the image he looks fairly young which makes these assaults even more shocking.

”After each woman has told the individual to go away he has followed this up with violent threats so we are keen to find this person as soon as possible.

“I would ask anyone who either recognises the image, witnessed any of the assaults or may have fallen victim to this person to call us.”

Anyone with information should phone police on 0161 856 4223 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.