Woman sexually assaulted inside B&M store in broad daylight

A woman was sexually assaulted inside a B&M store, police said as they launched a CCTV appeal.

The victim was allegedly approached and touched from behind by a man at Middleton Grange Shopping center in Hartlepool.

Officers have now shared a picture of a man they wish to speak to whom they believe may have information.

He is photographed wearing a suit and dark tie and coming up an escalator at the shopping center, which welcomes some 85,000 visitors per week.

The man is shown holding an unknown object in his hands, although it is unclear whether he is a store employee or a visitor.

The incident occurred at around 3.35pm on Saturday June 13.

Police have since reviewed CCTV as an investigation into the sexual assault continues.

Anyone who recognizes the man should either call 101 or report details online to Cleveland Police, citing reference number 114117.

Some three per cent of women in the UK report being sexually assaulted each year.

This equates to 739,000 incidents, according to the Office of National Statistics.

Metro has contacted B&M and Middleton Grange Shopping center for comment.

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