Police step up their search after second sexual incident on school pupil in a week

A PUPIL was sexually assaulted as she walked to school on Tyneside – just a week after a separate incident in the same area.

Police say the teenager was near Hebburn Comprehensive School in South Tyneside at 8.50am yesterday when she was approached by a man on a bike.

The girl was unhurt but left ‘very shocked’ by the incident as she walked along Campbell Park Road, Northumbria Police said.

The incident is the second in eight days involving a schoolgirl and a man on a bike outside the school, according to police.

They say another pupil was also approached by a cyclist on Monday, November 7 and officers are stepping up their search for the culprit.

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: “Police have been making extensive enquiries in the area since last week carrying out house to house enquiries, checking for CCTV footage and conducting extra patrols particularly before and after school times following the incident.”

Acting Neighbourhood Inspector Angela Lewis added: “We would urge anyone in the vicinity of the school who sees anything or anyone suspicious to speak to either the officers on patrol, or the school, and ask that any witnesses come forward and speak to us no matter how small they think the information is.

“Pupils and parents should remain vigilant and anyone with any information should contact us on 101, quoting reference 195 of 14/11/17 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Hebburn Comprehensive School was unavailable for comment following the second incident, but in a letter to parents last week, headteacher David Thompson asked pupils and parents to ‘be vigilant’ and report any inappropriate behaviour to staff or police at once.

He added: “Whilst police investigations are ongoing, it would be sensible for pupils to walk to and from school in groups of two or three, where possible.

“If children are staying back after school, you may wish to make arrangements to collect your son/ daughter.

“I am not wanting to cause alarm, but the safety of our pupils is of paramount importance.”