Two girls, 6, assaulted by sex attacker at Legoland
PoLICe are hunting a sex attacker who targeted two young girls as they enjoyed a family trip to Legoland.
the girls, both aged six, were playing in Castaway Camp, a fenced area that has just one combined entrance and exit, when the incident occurred.
After the shocking assault, the distressed pair ran to their family members who were waiting outside and told them about their ordeal – during which time their attacker is thought to have made a getaway.
officers have now launched a search for the man, as bosses at the popular family destination in Windsor, Berkshire, said they had been left shocked by the incident during its busiest period.
they were last night combing through CCtV pictures from the pirate-themed play area, which can be accessed by both children and accompanying adults, for clues to the suspect’s identity.
the incident, in which thames Valley Police said the girls were ‘touched inappropriately’, took place between 12.15 and 12.30pm on thursday as the theme park was in the midst of its school summer holiday boom.
the attacker – who was wearing dark, slim-fitting trousers, a dark-coloured t-shirt and trainers – was described as white and under 5ft 8in and is in his teens or early twenties.
Detective Inspector Penny Mackenzie, of the force’s Child Abuse Investigation Unit, called for families who visited the area during the same time period to study their photographs for anybody matching the man’s description.
‘We are appealing for the public’s help to find the offender who sexually assaulted two young girls at Legoland,’ she said.
‘If you recognise the offender’s description or have some other information, no matter how insignificant you think it is, we want to hear from you.
‘I would like to reassure the local community and visitors to Legoland that such offences are extremely rare and that we are working closely with Legoland to identify the suspect.’
A spokesman for the theme park said it was the first time such an incident had happened, adding: ‘the safety and security of the families enjoying a day out with us is our number one priority.
‘We are now working closely with the police to in assist them with their investigation.
‘Nothing of this nature has ever taken place at the Legoland Windsor resort before and we are deeply shocked by the incident.’
In 2015, Legoland had 2,250,000 million visitors, making it the most visited theme park in the UK and the ninth most visited in europe.
the Castaway Camp area where the attacks occurred features 82.5 metres of rope making up the dozens of scramble nets that connect fortresses and battleships.
the theme park previously had to cancel a private event for the Muslim research and Development Foundation charity in 2014 after receiving threatening phone calls, emails and social media posts about the proposed family day.