Police step up Bexhill manhunt

Extra officers have been brought in to deal with new lines of inquiry uncovered in a traffic stopping operation in London Road on Sunday.

Almost 400 cars were stopped exactly one week after the attempted abduction in nearby Woodsgate Avenue.

The incident took place on Sunday May 18 between 6.15pm-7pm. The attacker sprang from bushes in the avenue, threatened to sexually assault the girl and attempted to abduct her.

She escaped from the man's grip on her throat when her friend screamed to raise the alarm.

Detective Inspector Trevor Bowles is leading the hunt - codenamed Operation Redoubt - with the benefit of a good description given by the victim.

Police are looking for a man in his 40s with long, gingery, curly hair and a pierced left eyebrow. He had flaking skin on his nose and ears. His hands were dirty with badly-bitten nails. His blue shirt was open, exposing a hairy chest.

About five officers are to be dedicated to the case every day until the attacker is found.