By Safira Ali

Last updated 11:57, Friday, 08 August 2008

Police hunting for a man who sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl in Workington are appealing to his friends and family to give him up.

• View more pictures...

High visibility patrols: Police officers on Mossbay Road speak to residents last night to try to track down the man who sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl

Last night – a week after the attack – police spoke to passers-by, residents and people outside shops and the Golden Dragon takeaway on Mossbay Road to urge any witnesses to come forward with information.

The girl was walking alone along Mossbay Road, at about 10.30pm last Thursday when she was approached by a man, who talked to her before dragging her off the road, behind nearby bushes and subjecting her to a serious sexual assault.

Police believe there could be the possibility that family or friends of the sex attacker could be harbouring vital information to protect him. They are urging them to come forward anonymously.

Last night officers carrying out high visibility patrols also spoke to people at the Zebra’s Club who may have been in the area at the same time as the attack.

Detective Superintendent Cath Thundercloud, who is leading the investigation, said: “Someone may have been walking their dog between 10.15pm and 10.45pm or leaving the bingo which was on at the Zebras’ Club that night.

“It is important we speak to anyone who was in the area and could have seen something which can help us trace this offender.

“This is an isolated incident, unusual for the area, but the fact is that a young girl has been subjected to a serious sexual assault and it is vitally important that anyone with information which could help us, comes forward. Someone out there knows who this man is and if they do I am urging them to contact us.”

More than 1,000 posters and leaflets have been distributed this week showing an image of the man they are looking for to try to jog people’s memories.

The offender is described as 18 to 26; of stocky build, about 6ft, with a dot tattoo under the knuckle of his finger on his right hand, a possible injury to his right thumb with a shaved left eyebrow and a local accent.

At the time of the incident he was wearing a dark blue baseball cap; a Nike dark coloured hooded top, dark trousers with stripes down the outside of each leg and black trainers with white laces.

The girl walked from Firth View Walk into Wastwater Avenue, turning into Rowe Terrace into Salisbury Street before entering Moss Bay Road where the attack took place.

A police spokeswoman said the victim has been left traumatised by the incident but is receiving good support from family and friends.

Investigating officers are in regular contact with the victim and her family and are working closely with agencies such as Victim Support to ensure she gets all the help she needs.

Members of the public with information are asked to contact Cumbria police on 0845 3300247 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

SAli@cngroup.co.uk