POLICE are appealing for information after 16-year-old girl was assaulted in Horsforth.

The victim was walking along Town Street, near to its junction with Kerry Street, shortly after 5.30pm on Saturday when a man approached her from behind and grabbed her shoulder.

She pulled away and the man then grabbed her by the hair. The girl screamed and the suspect ran off as two women who were nearby went to her aid.

The suspect was described as white, slim, and aged in his mid twenties with short, messy, dark blonde hair. He was wearing a blue checked long sleeve shirt and black skinny jeans.

Officers later received a report of a similarly-described man approaching a 15-year-old girl in Hall Lane, Horsforth, at about 5.45pm the same day.

He asked her for a hug and when she refused he called her a name as he walked off.

Detective Inspector Phil Jackson, of Leeds District CID, said: "We are keeping an open mind as to whether these two incidents are linked but there are real similarities. These incidents are obviously a cause for concern, however nothing was said or done that suggested a clear sexual motive or robbery and we are treating the main incident in Town Street as a physical assault.

"We fully appreciate that these incidents will cause concern in the local community and neighbourhood officers have been made aware and will be conducting increased patrols of the area to provide reassurance.

"We would like to hear from anyone who witnessed either incident or who saw a man fitting the description in the area around the time. We are particularly keen to trace the two women who went to the victim's aid in Town Street."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Leeds District CID via 101 quoting crime number 13170032688 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.