Search continues for man who forced girl to remove clothes in Chorley woods

The 15-year-old victim was approached by a man in a wooded area just off Stonyhurst, Chorley, between 8.45am and 9:15am on Wednesday, September 17.

The man asked the girl to follow him and led her behind some trees within the woods.

He then threatened her and ordered her to remove items of clothing before fleeing from the scene.

Two men - both in their 40s and from Chorley - were arrested on suspicion of kidnap but they have since been released with no further action taken.

Detectives investigating the incident have now released an Evofit of a suspect and are asking anyone who recognises the man to come forward.

Det Sgt Paul Price, of South CID, said: "We understand that this incident has caused a great deal of concern in the community and we would like to reassure the public that we are doing all we can to identify the individual responsible. While we have made two arrests those two individuals have been eliminated from our enquiries.

"I would ask that anybody who recognises the male in the Evofit gets to get in contact with us straight away.

"I would like to ask members of the public to check CCTV cameras and dash cam cameras in the Yarrow Valley and Coppull area in and around the Spar store on the morning of September 17 between 9am and 11.30am.”

The suspect has been described as a white man, aged in his 30s, approximately 5ft 10in tall, of slim build with short hair.

He was wearing a black hat, dark blue jacket, black pants and black shoes.

Anyone with information has been urged to call Chorley CID on 01257 246190 or email DC Rebecca Pugh on [email protected], quoting log number 0404 of September 17.

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555111 or via their website crimestoppers-uk.org

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