Scooter-riding sex attacker targets girls

Four girls have been sexually assaulted by a man riding an electric scooter in Leeds, police have said.

The incidents happened in the Thorpe and Middleton areas of the city on Tuesday and Wednesday, West Yorkshire Police said.

The young victims were allegedly approached by the man, who in some cases engaged them in conversation before assaulting them.

Although none of the girls was physically hurt, the police said they had been left "very distressed".

Officers have released a CCTV image of a man they want to identify in connection with the assaults.

The suspect is described as white, in his 30s or 40s and riding a black and orange electric scooter.

Det Supt Emma Winfield, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "These incidents are clearly of real concern and I want to reassure parents that a significant investigation is ongoing into these offences.

“We are working to support victims and families and have deployed a number of officers to the Thorpe and Middleton areas to conduct enquiries and extra patrols."

She said it was "very important" police located the man.

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