POLICE?are appealing for witnesses after a teenage girl was assaulted in South Harting on Thursday, September 17.

The victim was standing by Elsted Road at around 6.55pm when she saw a man dressed in black on the other side by a driveway.

He ran at her with a clenched fist and chased her into Tipper Lane. He grabbed her around the waist but she managed to break free and was found by a couple who called her parents.

The suspect, who ran off, is described as a white man, around 5ft8in or 5ft9in, of skinny build and clean shaven. He was wearing a black hooded jumper which hid much of his face, black tracksuit bottoms, boots and leather gloves.

Det Sgt John Kalli said: "This must have been a very frightening experience for the victim. I would like to reassure members of the community that we are doing all we can to find the suspect and have stepped up patrols.”

Call 101 or e-mail: [email protected]