Youth hunted after sex assault on girl, 10, in Shrewsbury
Police are hunting a teenage boy who subjected a 10-year-old girl to a "serious sexual assault" near a car wash in Shrewsbury.
West Mercia Police said the attacker, who is believed to live locally, asked the victim to help him find something he had lost.
He then led her to a disused area near the Arc car wash centre in St Michael's Street and sexually assaulted her.
The attack happened at about 15:45 BST on Friday, police said.
'Very worrying offence'
Det Ch Insp Jon Marsden, leading the investigation, said: "Such crimes are extremely rare, but clearly this is a very worrying offence and we need to find the youth responsible as soon as possible."
Police said the victim described her attacker as being between 13 and 17, and carrying what appeared to be a fishing tackle box.
Det Ch Insp Neil Jamieson said: "The critical time is between 3:30pm and 4:30pm on Friday. It goes without saying that this individual must be traced quickly and the public can help us."
The suspect is described as white, about 5ft 7ins to 5ft 10ins tall and possibly of secondary school age.
He has black hair and was wearing a light and dark hooped pattern hooded jumper or top, with light blue trousers or jeans and white shoes or trainers.
The girl was carrying a large rucksack on her back before the assault.