Hunt for man after girl assaulted in Merthyr Tydfil park

Hundreds of people were locked in Cyfarthfa Park as police searched the area for a man who tried to grab an 11-year-old girl as she was playing near a climbing frame.

She was playing with her friends when the man ran out of shrubs to grab her.

But he ran off when she screamed and put up a struggle.

Officers threw a tight cordon around the historic park in Merthyr, which has a castle, lake and miniature golf course in its 160-acre grounds.

South Wales Police said Tuesday's incident was isolated and have issued an e-fit of the man they are looking for.

The suspect is said to be aged 30-40, 5ft 10in (1.78m) tall, with black shoulder-length hair and a mark, possibly a mole, on his nose.

He was wearing a grey hooded top with black trousers.

The girl was left shocked but unhurt.

Insp John Diffey said: "It is understandable that the community is alarmed - this incident causes us concern and we are a taking it very seriously.

"However, we are urging people to remain calm while we investigate the exact circumstances of what happened. Of course, parents should be alert to the situation."

House-to-house inquiries have been carried out in the area and police say they have also stepped-up patrols.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact South Wales Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.