A 15-year-old girl was subjected to a sexual assault in Weymouth.

Detectives are urging people to come forward following the alleged assault, which took place in an alleyway off King Street, which leads to McDonalds at the Jubilee Retail Park.

The girl was walking through an alleyway when she was approached by the man.

The man then allegedly tried to kiss and touch the girl, before she shouted at the man who then allegedly pushed her before walking away towards McDonalds.

She was left with a torn dress following the alleged attack.

Detective Constable Gerald Marchant of Weymouth CID said: “The victim sustained a torn dress. After the incident she walked past the railway station and reported it to an acquaintance.

“This incident left the victim feeling extremely upset and shaken.”

The reported assault took place at 9pm on Sunday, August 31, though Dorset Police have only just released details regarding it.

Det Con Marchant added: “I would like to ask the public to cast their mind back to between 8pm and 9.30pm on that Sunday and to contact me if they recall any suspicious activity in the King Street area.

“Anyone who witnessed this incident and, in particular, any witnesses who came to the aid of the victim should contact Dorset Police.”

A 36-year-old man of no fixed abode has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Francis Drake, borough councillor for the Melcombe Regis area, urged members of the public to contact police if they saw anything happen.

Cllr Drake said: “If anyone saw this incident they should contact the police immediately.

“Police are saying that there are not enough resources to be everywhere and I think the general public has got to help them when we are talking about serious assaults like this one.

“It should be their moral duty to report things like this or to provide the police with information if they saw anything.

“We don’t normally get things like this in Weymouth, it is usually a quiet and calm area and we don’t want to frighten off any tourists if these incidents become more common so the general public should do everything to help police.

“I’m not saying report everything but with things like this definitely.”

Witnesses and anyone with information are urged to contact Dorset Police on 101, quoting incident number 31:539, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.