Police cordon and forensic tent in place after girl abducted and sexually assaulted

A police cordon and forensic tent is in place after a seven-year-old girl was reported to have been abducted and sexually assaulted in Tameside.

Officers are currently carrying out investigations at the scene off Warne Avenue in Droylsden, where the girl was approached by a man at around 4pm yesterday (Wednesday) and then taken to a wooded area. Police believe the victim was then taken to van where she was sexually assaulted.

This morning, an area of grass just off the street remains taped off by police. Pictures show officers standing guard at the cordon.

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A forensic tent is also in place next to a footpath. After the terrifying incident, the girl bravely managed to find her own way to a nearby park after being taken back to the woods, police said.

Officers are supporting her and her family. Last night, a 35-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of abduction and sexual assault.

He was taken to custody to be questioned by detectives. Officers are still hunting down a man who was spotted acting suspiciously in the area at the time.

Two pictures of this man have been released. The second image showed him on Gainsborough Road, heading towards The Snipe with his jacket removed around 30 minutes after the incident.

Officers 'urgently' want to speak to him. They are continuing to look for him in Droylsden, Ashton-under-Lyne and the wider areas.

Anyone who spots the man should call 999 immediately, quoting incident 2270 of 17/08/2022. Other details can be passed to police via the LiveChat facility on the website (www.gmp.police.uk) or by calling 101.

Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity