Detectives were today set to trawl through CCTV footage in bid to catch a sex attacker who struck in a busy shopping centre.

Bosses at Bradford's Kirkgate Centre - the scene of the indecent assault - confirmed the suspects had been caught on camera and that images had been sent to police for viewing. Officers also appealed to shoppers who may have seen the four men to come forward.

Detective Inspector Chris Binns, who is heading the investigation, said the 19-year-old Asian victim had been left "very upset" by the indecent assault which happened at 2.30pm on Friday.

The woman was approached by four Asian youths on a staircase leading to the centre's car park, just yards from the bustling stores, when one of them assaulted her. They fled towards the centre and into the crowds.

Steve Seymour, of the Kirkgate Centre, said its state-of-the-art CCTV system had picked up those thought to have been responsible.

He said: "It is very unfortunate that this happened and obviously we are doing everything we can to help the police.''

Attacks and crimes such as bag snatches were "a sad fact of life in city centres across the country", said Mr Seymour who added that the centre did everything possible to avoid them.

"There are regular patrols in all areas of the centre but we cannot be everywhere all the time."

He said the centre had signs warning people to be aware of criminals and said the public should always be vigilant.

While they could not stop criminals from acting, the centre took all the preventative measures it could as well as trying to educate the public, he added.

Detectives appealed for anyone who may have seen the group of youths, particularly a woman walking in front of the victim moments before the attack, to contact Bradford Central police on (01274) 376459.

The attacker was described as Asian, about 25 years old, 6 ft tall and of medium build. He was wearing a black knitted polo sweater, black coat and cream baseball cap. He was also carrying a black bag over his shoulder.