A teenage schoolgirl was sexually assaulted whilst waiting in a queue inside a store at a busy shopping centre, police have confirmed.
The offence took place on 23 July at a shop in the Jordanthorpe Centre in Sheffield, with the victim being a 16-year-old girl.
Following numerous enquiries spanning nearly three months, South Yorkshire Police have released a CCTV image of a man they “believe may be able to help with the investigation”.
Attack During Evening Shopping
The assault occurred at 6.35pm on Wednesday, 23 July, as the teenager stood in the queue waiting to pay at the till.
The timing suggests the shopping centre would have been busy with evening shoppers, yet the offender brazenly carried out the attack in a public place.
The fact that the assault happened in a queue indicates other customers and staff may have been in close proximity, raising questions about whether witnesses observed the incident.
Three-Month Investigation Before Appeal
Police have spent nearly three months conducting “numerous enquiries” before releasing the CCTV image to the public.
The delay suggests investigators exhausted other avenues of identification, including reviewing additional CCTV footage and speaking to potential witnesses, before deciding to make a public appeal.
The release of the image at this stage indicates police believe public assistance is now crucial to identifying the suspect.
Suspect Description Released
The man police wish to speak to is described as:
- Asian appearance
- Black hair and facial hair
- Late 30s
- Average build
- Approximately 5ft 5ins tall
The detailed description, combined with the CCTV image, should help members of the public identify the individual if they recognise him.
Shopping Centre Security Concerns
The incident raises questions about security measures at the Jordanthorpe Centre and whether additional safeguards could prevent similar offences.
Shopping centres typically have extensive CCTV coverage and security staff patrolling, yet this assault still occurred in broad daylight during busy trading hours.
The fact it happened inside a shop whilst the victim was in a queue suggests the perpetrator felt emboldened to carry out the attack despite the public setting.
Impact on Young Victim
For the 16-year-old victim, the assault represents a traumatic violation that occurred during what should have been a routine shopping trip.
Being sexually assaulted in a public place where one should feel safe can have lasting psychological impacts on victims, particularly young people.
The victim showed courage in reporting the incident to police, enabling an investigation that may prevent the offender from targeting others.
Public Appeal for Information
A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police said: “We have released a CCTV image of a man following a reported sexual offence in a shop in the Jordanthorpe area of Sheffield.
It is reported that at 6.35pm on Wednesday 23 July, a 16-year-old girl was sexually assaulted while she stood in the queue for the till at a shop in the Jordanthorpe Centre.
The statement continued: “Following numerous enquiries, we are now releasing a CCTV image of a man we would like to speak to as we believe they may be able to help us with our investigation.”
“Do you recognise this man?”
Multiple Ways to Contact Police
South Yorkshire Police have provided several methods for the public to provide information:
- Report online via the force website
- Call 101 and quote investigation number 14/130637/25
- Use the online reporting portal
- Contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
- Complete an anonymous online form on the Crimestoppers website
The variety of options, including anonymous reporting through Crimestoppers, aims to encourage anyone with information to come forward regardless of their circumstances.
Jordanthorpe Centre Location
The Jordanthorpe Centre serves a residential area in south Sheffield and contains various shops and services used by the local community.
As a neighbourhood shopping centre, it attracts regular customers from the surrounding estates who may be more likely to recognise the suspect if he is a local resident.
The centre’s role as a community hub makes the assault particularly concerning for local residents who use it regularly for their shopping needs.
Witness Appeal
Anyone who was in the shop at the time of the incident or in the Jordanthorpe Centre around 6.35pm on 23 July may have crucial information.
Witnesses who saw the man in the CCTV image or noticed anything suspicious during that timeframe are urged to contact police.
Even seemingly minor details could prove significant to the investigation and help identify the suspect.
Pattern of Public Place Sexual Assaults
The incident highlights the ongoing problem of opportunistic sexual assaults in public places including shops, public transport and crowded venues.
Such attacks often involve perpetrators taking advantage of crowded situations where physical contact can be disguised or dismissed as accidental.
Victims in these situations may be reluctant to make a scene immediately, giving offenders the opportunity to disappear into the crowd.
Importance of CCTV Evidence
The availability of CCTV footage has proven crucial to the investigation, providing a clear image of the suspect.
Modern shopping centres typically have comprehensive CCTV coverage, making it difficult for offenders to avoid being captured on camera.
The quality of the image released suggests good camera placement and resolution within the store where the assault occurred.
Call for Community Vigilance
Police are relying on the community to help identify the suspect, emphasising the role local knowledge plays in solving crimes.
Neighbours, colleagues or acquaintances of the man in the image may recognise him and have information about his identity or whereabouts.
The emphasis on multiple reporting methods, including anonymous options, aims to overcome any reluctance witnesses may feel about coming forward.
As the investigation continues nearly three months after the assault, South Yorkshire Police remain determined to identify the suspect and bring him to justice for the attack on the teenage victim.
Anyone who recognises the man in the CCTV image or has information about the incident should contact police immediately quoting investigation number 14/130637/25.
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