THE detective investigating a sexual attack on an eight-year-old girl has called on the community to tell police all they know.

Det Insp Jim Elston, from Lancashire Police’s Pennine division CID, said he believed the attacker was local to Padiham and that people would know who he was.

It comes as more information about events leading up to the assault, during which the attacker put his hands under the girl’s clothes, were released.

Officers have also been carrying out door-to-door inquiries and scouring CCTV footage for clues.

The assault happened at around 1pm on Thursday when the child was playing out.

She was approached in Pendle Street by a man who started a conversation with her.

They walked a short distance to a metal footbridge between Canning Street and Back Thompson Street, where he attacked her.

The man was white, taller than 5ft 7ins, in his mid to late teens with gelled, brown hair swept to one side, and blue eyes.

He was wearing a grey Adidas tracksuit top with jogging bottoms and trainers.

Det Insp Elston said: “In my own view, the offender will be local to the area and I think that the success of us finding that offender lies within the community.

“We have been focusing on house-to-house inquiries. There has been quite a lot of police activity.

“We are also focusing on CCTV opportunities in that area.

“The witness appeal has not yet yielded any further information, but I am hopeful that maybe the new information will focus people.”

The victim is being supported by specially trained officers.

Anybody with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.