Police are hunting for a man who is alleged to have sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl as she walked through a busy London rail station with her family.
The "intoxicated" attacker assaulted the schoolgirl from behind as she walked through Liverpool Street station with her mother and brother, police said.
When he realised what had happened, the girl's brother confronted the man, who then stroked the boy's face.
The children's mother tried to stop the man from escaping but he ran away towards the station's Bishopsgate exit.
Detectives at City Police today released a CCTV picture of a man they want to question over the incident.
They said the girl had been left "traumatised" by the attack, which happened between 9.10pm and 9.25pm yesterday.
Acting Detective Inspector Anne Medlycott, who is leading the investigation, said, “The girl has been traumatised by this attack that took place in front of her mother and brother.
“Did you see this man drinking in bars in the area before the attack?
“We need to identify this man in order to protect the public.”
Police described their suspect as white and aged between 20 and 30. He was about 5'7"with short auburn hair and a short beard. He was wearing a white shirt with black trousers.
Anyone with information can contact City of London Police on 020 7 601 2222 or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
