Detectives have released an e-fit of a man they need to trace after a young girl was approached in Brompton, near Northallerton.
The incident occurred on Lead Lane at about 8.15am on Tuesday 15 November 2011, when a 12-year-old girl was walking towards Northallerton Road.
A man who had parked his white van approached the girl and spoke to her twice, instructing her to “Come here”, saying his van had broken down. The girl then ran towards the crossroads on Northallerton Road. The van passed the girl a short time later as she was walking, with a friend, towards the Allertonshire Secondary School.
The man, who spoke with a local accent, is described as white, aged in his late 20s or early 30s, around 5ft 10in tall with a slim build and thin face, with heavy stubble. At the time he was wearing a plain black baseball cap, a black hooded top with the hood over the baseball cap, a high visibility vest, black cargo pant style trousers and black work shoes.
The van he was driving is described as a plain white Ford Transit.
Detective Inspector Andrea Kell, of Northallerton CID, said:
This incident naturally left the young girl shaken and upset. Thankfully she was able to get away from this situation unharmed. She did the sensible thing and told her parents who reported the matter to police straight away.
I need to trace this man as a matter of urgency. It may be that he spoke to the girl for an entirely innocent purpose and, if this is the case, I need to understand his reason for approaching the girl and I ask that he contacts me.
I appeal to anyone who can identify him to contact the police immediately. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, pass information on to Crimestoppers.
If you can assist with the identification of this man or have any information that could assist the investigation, please contact DC Gary Smith-Owen at Northallerton Police Station on 0845 60 60 24 7 quoting reference number 12110193762. Or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
