COUNCILLORS say the community is shocked after it emerged a young girl had been sexually assaulted in Bradford.

The victim was walking through Bowling Park on Monday, October 11, at around 8.10am, when she was approached by a man who grabbed and indecently touched her.

The girl, 12, broke away from the man who left the scene with her phone - which he dropped a short time later.

The victim was left uninjured but understandably shaken by the incident.

Yesterday, police released CCTV images of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the incident.

Bowling and Barkerend Cllr Rizwana Jamil feels children at that age should not be fearful to walk in their own community.

She said: "I was aware of this incident. It is quite shocking especially at the time it happened, that is a busy time with kids going to school.

"I really hope the young girl is okay and is receiving all the support and help she needs from her family and the police.

"It seems to be an isolated incident but even one incident such as this is scary and shocking for the whole community.

"The absolute priority for everyone should be to keep our women and young girls safe in the district where they are able to go about their day to day business.

"At that age, girls are going to school on their own and they are expected to be able to walk to school in a safe way without being fearful of being attacked.

"I would urge everybody to look at the CCTV images and if anybody has any information to contact the police straightaway."

Fellow Ward Councillor agrees and thinks the man responsible should be jailed.

Hassan Khan: "It is zero tolerance for this type of incident. The police are working on this matter and I hope they catch the perpetrator and put him behind bars.

"My sympathy goes to the girl and her family.

"It is dangerous for this man to still be out there for children and the community.

"If anyone recognises this perpetrator they should come forward without any hesitation, they should call police for their own safety.

"It has happened to a girl on that day but it could happen to anyone."

At 2.12pm today, a West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: "The investigation remains ongoing and we are continuing to appeal for information to identify the man pictured in the CCTV images."

Anyone with information about the man or the offence is asked to contact police on 101, quoting crime reference 13210519025.