Man arrested after girl assaulted in South Park Darlington

Police have arrested a 42-year-old man following an incident in Darlington's South Park just before 5pm on Saturday (November 2). 

Reports state a girl, 17, was approached by a man in the park who tried to assault her. She did manage to get away, however, and called 999 for help.

Police cordon in South Park, Darlington. (Image: Picture: THE NORTHERN ECHO) A cordon was immediately erected in the park as officers and crime scene investigators attended the scene.

The cordon was subsequently removed on Sunday (November 3) afternoon.

An investigation is now ongoing as police appeal to members of the public who were in the park or in the area at the time for any more information.

A full police statement reads: "Officers are appealing for information following reports of an assault in South Park, Darlington, at around teatime yesterday (November 2).

"It is reported a 17-year-old girl was walking through the park at around 4.45pm when a man has approached her and tried to assault her.

(Image: Picture: THE NORTHERN ECHO)
"The teenager has managed to get away from the suspect and call 999 for help.

"A 42-year-old man has since been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and remains in police custody.

"Officers want to hear from anyone who may have CCTV of the area around the time of the incident or anyone else who was in the park as it is believed there lots of people in the park at the time.

"Extra patrols and house-to-house enquiries are also being carried out this afternoon by uniformed officers from the Darlington Neighbourhood Policing Team.

"If you have any information, call 101 quoting incident reference number 282 of November 2."