POLICE are hunting a teenager who sexually assaulted a young girl in a park.

The 11-year-old girl victim was walking home from school along the top road in Corporation Park, Blackburn when she was attacked.

As she walked up some steps the teenager, who was talking on a mobile phone, approached her from behind, grabbed her and assaulted her before running off. The girl then returned home and reported the incident to police.

DC Julie Peter, of Blackburn CID, said they were keen to talk to anybody who may have been walking in the park that afternoon and may have seen the youth before or after the incident.

She said: "This was a particularly distressing attack on a young girl making her way home from school and we would appeal for anyone with information about this incident to contact us so that we can ensure this doesn't happen again."

The attack is the latest in a series of incidents in the park.

Blackburn Police were forced to deploy plain clothed officers to target offenders after the area was identified as a hot-spot for vandals. CCTV cameras have also been installed.

So far this year more than 70 incidents have been reported in the park with 20 of those confirmed as crimes costing the taxpayer up to £10,000.

Bins have been destroyed by fire and benches torched. The park's glass house has been targeted on more than one occasion. Sergeant Peter Moore co-ordinator for the area said: "We are aware there are problems in the park and we are targeting our resources as appropriate and when required. The officers carry out regular patrols at the park and continue to monitor the situation."

The attacker was described as Asian, 13-15 years old, about 5ft seven ins, skinny with a pointed nose, wearing a dark blue sweatshirt, possibly an Adidas top and trousers.

Anyone with information about last Wednesday's incident should call Blackburn CID on 01254 353569 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.