THE police helicopter was dispatched after a nine-year-old reported being indecently assaulted in a Suffolk town centre.

THE police helicopter was dispatched after a nine-year-old reported being indecently assaulted in a Suffolk town centre.

The boy was alone in Friars Meadow in Sudbury when he was approached by a man and indecently assaulted.

The boy’s parents alerted the police about the incident, which happened between 1pm and 1.30pm yesterday, and the police helicopter was dispatched along with ground-based police officers.

A 40-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault.

The man, from Sudbury, is currently in custody at Bury St Edmunds police station and is likely to be questioned later.

The Sudbury incident comes in the wake of an unconnected accosting in Brandon, in which two teenage girls were approached.

The incident happened in High Street, Brandon, between 6.30pm and 6.40pm last Saturday.

The two 13 year olds were approached by a green Vauxhall Astra and one of the men inside - the passenger - repeatedly offered them a lift and followed them along the road until they reached their destination, at which point the car drove off.

A spokeswoman for the police said the man was in his late 20s to early 30s, of slim build with short blond hair and a round face.

The car was driven by another man of mixed race, in his late 20s to early 30s, of slim build with short brown hair.

He wore dark clothing.

Anybody with information about the incident in Brandon should call Pc Beverley Culloden at Mildenhall police on 01284 774100 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.