A 15-year-old girl has been sexually assaulted in St Albans.

Police are appealing for information following the incident, which occurred on Monday, December 8.

At around 4.45pm the victim was walking into Gurney Court Road when she became aware of a man crossing Marshalswick Lane towards her.

A short time later she was approached from behind and sexually assaulted by this man. As she turned around she saw the offender running off towards Marshalswick.

The suspect is described as a man in his mid-20s who was around 5ft 9ins tall. He had dark stubble on his face.

Detective Constable Stuart Alexander said: "Whilst it was dark at the time of the incident, it wasn’t late and I am sure there will have been people in the area who could assist us in identifying the offender. I would like to appeal to anyone who has in the area at the time and saw a man acting suspiciously to contact me with information.

"I would like to reassure residents that these incidents are not commonplace in St Albans however, I would ask people to consider the following safety advice when out and about - particularly now the darker nights are here."

Anyone who can assist DC Alexander should call the Herts Police non-emergency number 101 quoting crime reference number F1/14/4012.