POLICE investigating after a 12-year-old girl was sexually assaulted in a clothing shop have identified a man wanted in connection with the incident.

Yesterday police launched an urgent appeal for help in tracing a man and released an image of him, following the incident.

After the appeal was shared thousands of times, a man has now been identified and is "supporting police with their enquiries", GMP have said.   

The girl was in the Primark store in Bury town centre with a family member at around 4.30pm on September 11, this year.

While on the first floor of the shop looking at clothes, a man walked behind her and groped her.

The man continued to follow the girl around the store and when she stopped for a second time, she felt her skirt being lifted. Upon turning around, she noticed what is believed to be a mobile phone in the man’s hand.

The girl ran to a member of her family and told them what had happened.

While the family member and the victim were still inside the store, the offender reappeared and – not realising the girl’s family member was close by – attempted to approach the girl again.

The family member challenged the man, who became very agitated and quickly made off through the main entrance.

PC Stephen Raine of GMP’s Bury Division said: “This was a blatant and repeated sexual assault of a young girl when she was simply out shopping with family.

“We are determined to find who has committed this offence."

Anyone with information should call police on the dedicated number for the town centre officers 0161 856 8181, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.