Teenage girl sexually assaulted after group of males made explicit comments in Santon Downham, near Brandon

A 17-year-old girl was sexually assaulted in a village near Brandon earlier this month.

The victim was walking with a friend by a river in Santon Downham at 2pm on Thursday, May 1, when she was approached by a group of eight males.

They made sexually explicit comments to her before one member of the group is alleged to have slapped her on the bottom, before attempting to grab her bikini top.

A spokesman for Suffolk Police said two of the males were in their 20s, while the others were aged between 14 and 16.

The person alleged to have assaulted the victim is about 14 years old, with dirty blonde hair and was wearing blue swim shorts and black trainers.

The victim was left shaken but unharmed by the incident, the spokesman said.

PC Robert Kindred from Suffolk Police said: “Behaviour such as this constitutes sexual harassment. Touching someone in that manner is illegal and is never appropriate.

"Sexual comments, even if intended as a joke or banter, can be deeply distressing.

Women and girls deserve to feel safe and respected, and free from harassment of this nature.”

In the wake of the incident, officers are appealing for witnesses.

Anyone who can aid the investigation should get in touch with Suffolk Police, quoting incident reference, 37/23952/25.