A 17-year-old girl was sexually assaulted after being followed by a man, sparking her mum to order the victim and her sisters to carry rape alarms when out in south Essex.
Police have launched an investigation into the sex assault in Main Road, Hockley, after reports the girl was “followed” and “touched inappropriately” in broad daylight.
The girl’s mum, who asked to remain anonymous, has spoken out in a bid to warn woman in the area and has revealed she has now ordered personal alarms for all three of her daughters and is insisting they carry them.
Officers have recorded the incident as a sexual assault and appealed for anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward.
READ MORE >> Police probe after 17-year-old girl is sexually assaulted during broad daylight
The victim’s mum said: “It is so shocking and disgusting that this can happen at 2pm in broad daylight, just five minutes away from her home, where she has lived for 17 years.
“She is shaken, but thankfully ok.
“Moving forward I want her to realise this was a horrible incident, but hopefully a rare one.
“Thankfully my daughter knew what to do and went to a safe place, and the manager of the shop kept her there, and even managed to get a picture of the man.
“However, I want to make sure all girls need to know that they need to be aware of things around them, and make sure they know what to do if they are in that situation.
“I have three daughters, and after this worrying incident, I have ordered three personal attack alarms which were delivered yesterday.
“As a mum I felt helpless when she told me, but now I have given these to them, it makes me feel like I am doing something to try and keep them safe.”
The incident took place at 2pm on Thursday.
A spokesman for Essex Police added: “We received a report that a teenage girl had been sexually assaulted in Hockley.
“It was reported the girl had been walking along Main Road between 2pm and 2.10pm on the same day when a man approached her, made inappropriate comments, and touched her inappropriately.
“We have recorded the incident as a sexual assault.
“If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.
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