Police and community groups in west Belfast have urged local parents and young people to ‘be vigilant’ after reports of an attack on a teenage girl on Wednesday night.
It was reported to the PSNI that on the Upper Suffolk Road at around 8.30pm on September 26, a man approached two teenage girls as they walked along the road.
The man reportedly pulled at the clothing of one of the girls, then pushed her to the ground.
He then made off on foot, possibly in the direction of Lenadoon.
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The perpetrator was described as being aged in his 20s or 30s and was wearing a black coat, black trousers and black shoes.
A police spokesperson added that both girls were left badly shaken following the incident.
The Glen Community Parent Youth Group and Lenadoon Womens Group have appealed to residents across the Glenveagh/Suffolk Road and Greater Lenadoon areas to proceed throughout the region with caution going forward.
They stated that “at approximately 8.30pm, as the girl and her friend were walking home from the Suffolk Road into Glenveagh Drive, a white male in dark clothing emerged from behind the girls and dragged one of them towards a derelict house in the street”.
“As he was assaulting the girl her friend began screaming and a passing car came to their assistance as the assailant ran off,” the post continued.
“Lenadoon Community Forum and Suffolk Road Residents Network are demanding an urgent meeting between themselves and the Housing Executive to have this derelict property adequately secured to prevent further assaults.
“Both groups are also urging parents to make their children aware of the potential dangers and to ensure that they are not out on their own whilst this dangerous individual is at large.”
The Housing Executive has been contacted for comment.