A 17-year-old girl was sexually assaulted as she was walking in public.

The victim was walking along Ashdown Road in Bexhill when she was approached.

A man came up behind her and smacked her bottom close to a footpath near Galley Hill View.

He ran away and Sussex Police tracked him down based on the information the girl provided.

Police say the suspect and victim are not known to each other.

The encounter happened on Friday, July 25, at 8pm but police only released the information today.

PC Darren McCann said: “We have arrested a man in connection with this incident, however we would like to speak to anyone who was in the area and may have seen anything which could help us with our enquires.”

A 24-year-old man from Bexhill was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault.

He was questioned and released on bail until Tuesday, August 26.

Any witness or anyone with information about the incident is asked to email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101 quoting serial 1563 of 25/07.

Alternatively, call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.