A teenage girl was sexually assaulted in broad daylight after being harassed by a group of young boys in central Ipswich.

The incident took place between 4.30pm and 5pm on Thursday, September 20 in Orwell Place.

The victim, aged 17, had been walking along Rope Walk, near to the junction with Dove Street, when a group of five to six boys surrounded her.

The boys then followed her towards the town centre, crossing Grimwade Street and continuing along Rope Walk towards Eagle Street, while acting and speaking in an inappropriate manner.

The victim asked them to stop what they were doing, but their behaviour continued.

When they reached Orwell Place, one of the group sexually assaulted her.

At this point, the victim managed to run across the road onto Tacket Street and escape.

The suspects are described as being aged around 12 to 13, with tanned complexions. One of them was riding a bicycle and another was using a push scooter.

Detectives are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time, and who saw a group of boys following a teenage girl, to make contact. This includes any motorists driving along any of the roads stated above with a dash cam fitted in their vehicle.

The incident happened not far from where two sex attackers attempted to rape a woman in a car park near Rope Walk last year.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the South Safeguarding Unit on 101 quoting reference 54160/18, or the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.