Chorley sexual assault appeal - update

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

We told you yesterday that we had launched an investigation into a report that a girl had been sexually assaulted in Chorley and we wanted to give you an update.

The victim, a teenager, told police she had got off the train at the railway station and walked along Lyons Lane South and George Street before turning left on to Cunliffe Street and then on to Salisbury Street. It is here that she said she was approached from behind by a man who pushed her against a wall and assaulted her.

After a struggle she managed to fight off her attacker and run off. She suffered some thankfully relatively minor injuries.

The victim said the incident happened between 4.30pm and 5pm on Monday (March 4)

We have carried out a number of enquiries and we are now confident that no sexual assault took place at the time and location described. However, we are continuing to make further enquiries.

The victim continues to be supported by specialist officers and we have extra patrols in Chorley town centre as reassurance.

Detective Inspector Denise Fardella, of South CID, said: “We obviously take all such reports extremely seriously and we have carried out a number of enquiries which mean that we are now confident that no assault happened at the time and place described but we are still investigating, and we are conducting further enquiries to try and establish what has gone on.”   

The suspect is described as a white man, about five ft 8ins tall, aged 20-25, wearing a grey hoodie, black joggers, and a beanie hat.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting 1430 of March 4 or independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.