Two girls, 12 and 13, sexually assaulted by man while sat on bench outside McDonald's
Officers raced to respond to reports of a sexual assault outside a McDonald's in Southampton.
A man allegedly approached two young girls who were sitting on a bench outside the fast food restaurant on Shirley High Street and made an inappropriate comment.
He is also alleged to have placed his hands on the girls' legs and followed the terrified youngsters when they tried to walk away.
Officers have now released a CCTV image of a man they wish to speak to in connection with the incident.
The individual who assaulted the girls is described as a white male, aged between 40 and 50 with short grey/brown hair and a beard and a visible scar on his face.
At the time of the assault the suspect was wearing Blue jeans a darker denim jacket, a green polo top and black trainers.
The assault took place in May with officers desperately trying to track the suspect down ever since.
As part of cops ongoing enquiries, they have released an image of a man they would like to identify and speak to.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said: "If you recognise this man, or have any information that could help our investigation, please call 101 quoting reference number 44250203891."
1
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Brazen thieves target footy legend's luxury car in broad daylight - leaving his young family 'rattled'
Footy legend Trent Cotchin and his family remain in disbelief after they were victims of a daylight robbery. The triple-premiership captain with Richmond and Brownlow Medallist had numerous items stolen from his Mercedes outside his Moonee Ponds home, in Melbourne's north-west, on Thursday. His wife Brooke later posted security footage of a car pulling up in front of their house around 6pm. A hooded thief can be seen hovering over Cotchin's car - which was unlocked - before opening the door and helping himself to a wallet, including an Amex card. Cotchin has confirmed multiple transactions were made on the card before it was locked. Victoria Police were then spotted at Cotchin's house on Friday morning taking statements. Footy legend Trent Cotchin and his family remain in disbelief after they were victims of a daylight robbery this week in suburban Melbourne The triple-premiership captain with Richmond and Brownlow Medallist had numerous items stolen from his luxury Mercedes (pictured) outside his Moonee Ponds home on Thursday Cotchin's wife Brooke told Instagram followers her family were left 'rattled' by the incident The footy star's wife posted on Instagram anything 'half valuable' in the vehicle was taken, but Cotchin's mouthwash, toothbrush and toothpaste were left behind. She added her family were left 'rattled' by the incident. Cotchin retired at the end of 2023 following a brilliant career with the Tigers, which included flags in 2017, 2019 and 2020. He captained the team to all three premierships, and also snared three best and fairest gongs at Punt Road during his storied 306-game career. Away from footy, Cotchin was recently mortified when he appeared on Channel Seven's Dancing With The Stars. While he impressed when performing a Cha Cha with Jess Raffa, the decorated midfielder was left with a questionable red lipstick mark on his crotch. It was all good natured, with Cotchin admitting it was 'extremely awkward' before playfully asking host Sonia Kruger to 'move on' when questioned about the stain. Dancing With The Stars fans previously noted Cotchin had been a little hesitant to dance with Raffa during early days of the show. Many felt the footy star didn't feel comfortable dancing with another woman who was not his wife and childhood sweetheart, Brooke.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
AntiSocial Asylum hotels
Anger has flared outside hotels used to house asylum seekers. Protestors say they are worried about illegal migration, cost to the taxpayer and a lack of consultation, but one issue seems to spark even more concern - the safety of women and children. Opponents have accused protestors of racism and whipping up hate. Is there any evidence that asylum seekers are more likely to commit sexual offences? We trace the clamour for more data to answer that question. Police have been given new guidance on disclosing the ethnicity and nationality of suspects in criminal cases - especially high profile ones. What might be the effect? And why are so many asylum seekers currently housed in hotels anyway? We hear how the system is supposed to work and how it's evolved. Presenter: Adam Fleming Producers: Simon Tulett, Natasha Fernandes, Emma Close and Tom Gillett Editor: Penny Murphy Production coordinator: Janet Staples Studio engineer: Annie Gardiner
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Human rights watchdog warns police to rethink 'heavy-handed' Palestine protest clampdown amid fears it could have a 'chilling' effect on free speech
Britain's human rights watchdog has warned against the 'heavy-handed policing' of Palestine protests amid fears it could have a 'chilling' effect on free speech. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has written to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Met Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley to remind them that the 'right to protest is a cornerstone of any healthy democracy'. The letter, from EHRC chairwoman Baroness Kishwer Falkner, said the notion that a peaceful demonstration could attract disproportionate police attention 'undermines confidence in our human rights protections'. Baroness Falkner said any interference with protest rights 'must be lawful and assessed case-by-case'. She added: 'Heavy-handed policing or blanket approaches risk creating a chilling effect, deterring citizens from exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of expression and assembly through fear of possible consequences. 'This concern extends beyond those directly affected by police engagement to the broader health of our democracy, because the perception that peaceful protest may attract disproportionate police attention undermines confidence in our human rights protections.' The letter, from EHRC chairwoman Baroness Kishwer Falkner, said the notion that a peaceful demonstration could attract disproportionate police attention 'undermines confidence in our human rights protections' Baroness Falkner also raised concerns about 'reports of police engagement with individuals participating in forms of protest that are not linked to any proscribed organisation'. The commission referenced a report by the Guardian newspaper about a woman said to have been threatened with arrest under the Terrorism Act for holding a Palestinian flag and signs saying 'Free Gaza' and 'Israel is committing genocide'. The woman was reportedly told by police that her demonstration in Canterbury, Kent, in July expressed views supportive of Palestine Action, an organisation which has been banned by the Government. The woman said neither of her signs mentioned Palestine Action and that she had told police she did not support any proscribed organisations. Kent Police confirmed it had 'received correspondence from a legal firm representing a person spoken to by officers in Canterbury on July 14 2025' after the Guardian reported the woman is taking legal action against the force. The EHRC said Government and police authorities must 'ensure that all officers receive clear and consistent guidance on their human rights obligations' when it comes to protests. 'This guidance should ensure that the appropriate balance is maintained between public safety and the protection of essential human rights,' Baroness Falkner added. Palestine Action was proscribed by the UK Government in July, with the ban meaning that membership of, or support for, the group is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison, under the Terrorism Act 2000. More than 500 people were arrested last weekend on suspicion of displaying an item in support of a proscribed group, as demonstrations took place in central London. Downing Street has described Palestine Action as 'violent' and said it has committed 'significant injury' as well as criminal damage, adding that evidence and security assessments shared in closed court supported its proscription. Palestine Action said Downing Street's accusations were 'false and defamatory' and 'disproven by the Government's own intelligence assessment'. Asked for their response to the EHRC letter, the Home Office referred to Ms Cooper's previous statement about last week's march, in which she said: 'The right to protest is one we protect fiercely but this is very different from displaying support for this one specific and narrow, proscribed organisation.' The Metropolitan Police declined to comment when asked for their response to the letter. It comes after a chaotic London march last Saturday saw more than a staggering 500 activists arrested - bringing the total to over 700 since July 7, when the group was proscribed. During a day of mayhem and farce, Left-wing protesters swamped London's Parliament Square on August 9 in support of the organisation, which was proscribed by the Government last month as a terrorist group. Hundreds held placards declaring 'I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action' in deliberate 'idiotic' acts of law-breaking designed to overwhelm police resources and the courts. Later that day, the Metropolitan Police announced more than 360 people had been detained following the scenes of disorder - at an estimated cost of about £3million. However, in an update on August 10, the Met said the number of total arrests had skyrocketed to 532 - with 522 of these being for people allegedly displaying placards supporting the proscribed terror group. Protesters were accused of a 'colossal' waste of millions of pounds of taxpayers' money after seemingly getting deliberately arrested by officers. Yesterday, the Metropolitan Police announced that a further 60 people will be prosecuted for 'showing support for the proscribed terrorist group Palestine Action. Stephen Parkinson, Director of Public Prosecutions, said: 'The decisions that we have announced today are the first significant numbers to come out of the recent protests, and many more can be expected in the next few weeks. We are ready to make swift decisions in all cases where arrests have been made. The public has a democratic right to protest peacefully in this country, and I understand the depth of feeling around the horrific scenes in Gaza. 'However, Palestine Action is now a proscribed terrorist organisation and those who have chosen to break the law will be subject to criminal proceedings under the Terrorism Act. 'When protest conduct crosses the line from lawful activity into criminality, we have a duty to enforce the law. 'People should be clear about the real-life consequences for anyone choosing to support Palestine Action. A terrorism conviction can severely impact your life and career – it can restrict your ability to travel overseas and work in certain professions. 'I urge people to think very carefully about their actions at protests. Anyone who chooses to disobey the law will have to face the consequences.'
