Today police appealed for information in a bid to catch the hoodie responsible for the assault.

The 16-year-old schoolgirl had been walking along Silksworth Lane just before 5pm on Thursday, when she noticed a man wheeling a push bike behind her.

She then made her way into an underpass at Essen Way, but as she walked out of the tunnel, the man came at her from behind and indecently assaulted her at the junction of Crosslea Avenue and Silksworth Lane.

He then fled on his bike along Crosslea Avenue.

The girl was left uninjured but shaken by the incident.

The attacker is described as about 5ft 7in tall, of medium build, and wearing a grey hooded top with the hood pulled up tightly around his face.

Investigating officers are keen to speak to a group of youngsters who were pushing a wheelie bin through the subway at the time.

They believe the group may have stopped the attack from taking place in the subway.

Neighbourhood Inspector Cheryl Warcup said: "It's only natural that incidents like this heighten the fear of being a victim of crime for many people, especially those who have to use the subway, and I'd like to reassure them that incidents like this are rare and we are doing everything we can to find the person responsible.

"The neighbourhood policing team are always available to discuss any concerns residents have surrounding crime and disorder, and anyone concerned about walking home on their own, especially as the nights get darker, can collect a personal attack alarm from Farringdon Police Station."

Any witnesses, anyone with information or any of the youths who were in the subway and may have seen something are asked to contact police on 03456 043 043 ex 66253 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.