Appeal following rape of a girl in Wigan

Police are appealing for information after a girl was raped in Leigh, Wigan.

The girl, aged 14, was walking on open land to the south of Westleigh Park between 4pm and 5.30pm on Thursday 22 April 2021 when she was approached by an unknown man.

The man pulled her into some bushes before raping her.

The offender is described as a white man, around 6ft tall with green eyes and aged around 20 or slightly younger.

He was wearing a black hooded top, black Covid mask and black jogging bottoms with two white stripes running down the outside of the leg.

He was also wearing green trainers with a grey trim near the sole and black laces, and brown/green camouflage gloves with bobble grips on the palms.

The man is described as having a southern-sounding accent. He is also described as having a black tattoo on the right side of his neck.

The offender fled in an unknown direction.

Superintendent Mark Kenny of GMP's Wigan District said: "The girl is receiving care from specialist officers while we investigate this terrifying attack. Our thoughts are with her and her family.

"She has shown immense bravery in recounting a very detailed description of the offender, and we are hopeful someone may recognise the person described.

"This attack occurred in daylight hours and there are many homes and businesses along roads accessing Westleigh Park and fields.

"We ask people in those areas, and the areas surrounding, to review any CCTV or dash-cam footage they may have - you may have captured the offender on camera and be able to give us valuable information about his direction of travel.

"I would like to reassure the community that we have a number of officers working on this case. In addition we have additional patrols in the area of the incident.

"We are committed to tracing the person responsible for this dreadful crime and people in the area may notice an ongoing police presence while further enquiries are conducted.

"I urge anyone with information to get in touch immediately."

Anyone with information should police on 0161 856 7251 quoting incident 1033 of 23/04/21. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.