Police searching for three boys over assault on girl during afternoon funeral in Teddington, south-west London

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

An 11-year-old girl has been sexually assaulted in a cemetery by three boys under the age of 10.

The girl was attacked as she walked through Teddington cemetery, south-west London, with a friend at about 3.30pm on 20 October as a funeral took place.

Three boys wearing shiny blue suits and white shirts walked up to the pair, and the girl’s friend ran off and hid. The boys then kissed the 11-year-old and sexually assaulted her.

A man who was cycling through the cemetery shouted at them to stop and they walked off.

PC Jamie Oprey said: “The victim has been left extremely distressed by this attack, which took place in broad daylight … I am keen to speak to anyone who was in the cemetery at the time of the incident and could help us identify the boys responsible.

“I am also keen to speak to the man on the bicycle who intervened and stopped the attack – his information could prove invaluable in helping to find these boys.”

The three boys, who are thought to have been attending a Traveller funeral, were white and had short blond or brown hair.

Anyone with information should call police on 020 8721 5930 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.