Inquiry after girl's serious sex assault in Whitby
A girl has been subjected to a serious sex assault in a North Yorkshire coastal town, police have said.
The girl, whose age has not been given, was attacked in an alleyway between New Quay Road and Baxtergate in Whitby on Wednesday between 20:30 and 21:00 BST.
Police said the stranger attacked the girl before she escaped on her bicycle.
Det Ch Insp Keith Ruff, of North Yorkshire Police, said it was a "very disturbing" and the girl had been left "extremely frightened and shocked".
Police said the victim was receiving specialist police and medical support and that patrols had been stepped up in the area.
Mr Ruff said: "Serious sexual assault carried out by a stranger is a very rare crime indeed, not least when the victim is so young.
"It is also unusual that the attack was carried out and relatively early in the evening and in a generally busy part of the town centre."
Witnesses or anyone with information are being asked to contact North Yorkshire Police.