TWO reports of sexual assaults on schoolgirls in the same Burnley street have been made to police in two days.

Officers said they were linking the alleged attacks, which happened in Leyland Road, in the Bank Hall area, on Tuesday and Thursday.

In the first incident, officers received a call to say a 14-year-old girl had been approached by a man as she made her way to school.

According to the caller, the man pulled down the teenager’s skirt before running away.

The man was described as white, in his 30s, around 5ft 10ins, of medium build with broad shoulders.

He was wearing a black hooded top, dark jeans and was carrying a mobile phone.

Then on Thursday, police received a report that a 13-year-old girl, who was also walking to school in Leyland Road, had been subjected to a similar ordeal.

The man in this case was also described as white, around 5ft 10ins, but in his 20s. He was wearing blue jeans and a dark hooded jacket.

Detective Inspector Simon Cheyte, of Burnley CID, appealed to anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area to come forward.

He said: “These incidents, I know, were very distressing for both the young girls involved and we are extremely keen to trace this individual as soon as possible.

“Due to the similarities of the two offences we do believe they could be linked.

"Leyland Road is a busy road and there will have been a good number of people around at those times of the morning so I would urge people to think back and contact us if they have seen anything suspicious.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 08451 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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