POLICE are hunting a man who indecently assaulted a little girl as she played on a footpath near her home in the middle of the day.

The six-year-old was playing in Old School Close, Ashley Cross, Poole, at 12.30pm when the stranger approached her and carried out the assault.

She was not injured during the incident, and the man did not try to entice her away from the area.

Her step-father said: "I don't think she quite realised the implications of what had happened, which was a good thing really.

"At the moment, what's left in her mind was that he's a nasty man.

"You know this sort of thing is about, but you don't believe it would happen to you. At least she wasn't injured, it could have been a lot worse."

Detectives investigating the case are appealing for witnesses and any information about the assault, and have a description of a suspect.

Detective Sergeant Ben Hargreaves, of Poole CID, said: "This was a disturbing incident for a young child playing on a footpath near her home - and it's vital that we find the man responsible as soon as possible.

"The man we're looking for is in his late 20s or early 30s and white, five ft 10 in tall, of medium build with very short dark hair. At the time he was wearing a white and blue shirt, blue jeans and carrying a black mobile phone."

He asked anyone who was in the Oakdale area at lunchtime on Friday and may have seen the man to pick up the telephone straight away.

"You may recognise the man from the description, and you may have your suspicions about a friend, acquaintance or family member, if you do, please phone now," he added. The number to call is the Dorset Police appeals line on 01202 222500, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

First published: August 24