Man arrested in connection with ongoing sexual assault probe

Picture courtesy of Google Maps

Officers from Greater Manchester Police’s Rochdale Borough have arrested an 60-year-old man on suspicion of sexual assault.

He remains in custody for questioning.

This is in relation to a report received by police on Tuesday (September 4) that a 14-year-old boy had been sexually assaulted by the canal near to Hollingworth Road, Littleborough at around 5:20pm.

The teenager had been magnet fishing when he was approached by a man who told him to head to another body of water a short distance away as he’d have better chance of success.  

When he moved to that location, he was sexually assaulted by the man before managing to run away to safety.

Detective Sergeant Paul Davies, of GMP’s Rochdale Borough, said: “This has been a fast moving investigation and we have arrested a man in the Rochdale area on suspicion of sexual assault.

“He remains in custody for questioning. However, our investigation continues and we are still keen to speak to anyone who may have information that can assist us to please get in touch.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 8441 quoting reference number 1851 of 04/09/18 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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