A MAN has been arrested after an 11-year-old girl was sexually assaulted in the street as she stopped to tie her shoelace.

Police have arrested a 41-year-old from Eastbourne on suspicion of the offence on Tuesday, September 19.

At around 4pm, three girls were walking along Northiam Road in the town when the victim stopped near the junction with Longland Road.

A man approached her from behind and touched her inappropriately.

The man, who was white, skinny and about 5ft 10in tall, fled when the girl screamed.

He is described as having dark brown shoulder-length greasy hair and stubble, wearing a grey hoody, blue jeans, with black and white trainers.

Detective Constable Dan Thomson said the children were distressed by the incident and appealed for witnesses or anyone with CCTV of the scene to call 101 quoting Operation Enford.