This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Police investigating the attempted rape of a 10-year-old girl have arrested a man.

The child was attacked when she became separated from friends in the Openshaw area of Manchester on the afternoon of Saturday 10 February.

Police say a man led the girl to an area of wasteland where he sexually assaulted her before attempting to rape her. She managed to escape before alerting a nearby dog-walker, Greater Manchester police said.

Officers described the attack as “horrendous” and released CCTV images of a man they wanted to trace. Police said on Thursday they had arrested a 23-year-old man on suspicion of kidnap and attempted rape. He remains in custody for questioning.

DI Rebecca Boyce said: “While we’ve made an arrest, our investigation into this horrendous attack continues.

“We are looking to speak to anyone who was around Kilcraig Close on Saturday afternoon, or who travelled on the Ashton metrolink line between 1.30pm and 1.40pm that day, to help with our enquiries.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact CID on 0161 856 1146 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.