Appeal following sexual assault on teenage boy in Norris Green

We are appealing for information following a report of sexual assault on a teenage boy in Norris Green yesterday morning, Friday 19 June.

At around 7.50am it was reported that a man approached a 13-year-old boy at a bus stop on Utting Avenue and engaged in conversation, then touched him inappropriately.

The boy left the location in shock and returned home.

Officers attended and conducted a search of the area. Extensive enquiries are being carried out to find the suspect.

The offender is described as a white man aged around 65 years of age, 5ft 5in tall with short grey hair and speaks with a southern accent. He was wearing black shorts and a grey T-shirt.

Detective Inspector Joe Rea said: “I would like to reassure the public that incidents such as this are rare, and we are taking this incident extremely serious. The victim was very shocked and understandably very distressed by the incident.

“Extensive CCTV and witness enquiries have been conducted, and we are continuing with our enquiries to find the suspect.

“I would urge anyone who was in the area of Utting Avenue between 7.45am and 8.15am and has information which will help with our enquiries to please contact us.

“I am also appealing for motorists driving along the road to please to check your footage to see if it has captured a man matching the description and let us know.

“We understand the concern that such incidents cause in our communities, so please come forward with any information and we will take action.”

Det Insp added: “Providing support to victims of sexual assault has never been more important, and I would encourage anyone experiencing this to report it to us and we will support you every way we can.  

"If anyone who has suffered a sexual offence and you can find the courage to come forward and speak to us, we will deal with you sensitively and make sure that reports are thoroughly investigated."

Anyone with information should contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X or Facebook @MerPolCC with reference 26000487869.        

You can also report information via our website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or by calling 101.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously

If you are a child or young person suffering sexual or physical abuse, the following organisations can also provide help and support:

NSPCC – call 0808 800 5000 or e-mail [email protected].
Childline – call 0800 1111

If you’ve been affected by sexual violence of any kind don’t be afraid to tell someone, find the courage to come forward and get the help you deserve.

You can report rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences anonymously here: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/how-to-report-rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/

There is a lot of support available from specialist officers within Merseyside Police and through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Victim Care Merseyside service delivered jointly by two registered charities.

In Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral, support is provided by Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (RASA) Merseyside who are available on 0151 558 1801 and, in St Helens and Knowsley, by the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) Cheshire and Merseyside who can be contacted on 01925 221 546 or 0330 363 0063.