DETECTIVES investigating the alleged sexual assault of a teenager have appealed for information.

Police were called shortly after 9pm last Wednesday after a member of the public reported they had seen a female being groped in the Saint Marks Way area of South Shields.

Officers attended the area and located the victim, a 16-year-old girl, who had walked from Ocean Beach Pleasure Park between 8pm and 9.15pm after becoming separated from her friends.

While walking, she is believed to have been approached by a man on Ocean Road who attempted to befriend her.

The suspect then followed her before proceeding to kiss her on the neck and grope her.

The victim was uninjured but left shaken by the incident.

An investigation was subsequently launched and officers arrested a 24-year-old man on suspicion of sexual assault.

He has since been released under investigation.

Enquiries are ongoing into the incident and officers are now keen to hear from anybody who believes they saw a man, described as white, 5ft 8ins tall with short dark hair and wearing a blue t-shirt and beige shorts, in the company of a young female on the night in question.

Detective Constable Jodie Faulkner said: “This was clearly a serious incident which involved a young teenager who was followed by a man as she walked alone.

“After attempting to befriend her, the suspect proceeded to grope her and kiss her on the neck, leaving the teenager understandably terrified and upset.

“An investigation is ongoing into the incident and we have spoken to a man in connection with our enquiries.

"At present, we understand the girl did attempt to ask for help from various people who were passing by between 8pm and 9pm on the night in question.

“However, the suspect would try to allay any fears and walk on with her. The victim will have looked visibly upset and we believe a number of people must have seen her.

“I am now appealing to those people to come forward with any information they have, however insignificant you feel it may be, it could prove the key to ensuring whoever is responsible is brought to justice.

“I would like to praise the victim for her bravery shown and we will continue to offer her any support that she needs.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact us via 101 or by using the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of our website quoting log 1359 240620. Alternatively, you can email 3123@northumbria.pnn.police.uk.