A WOMAN touched a 13-year-old girl inappropriately as she walked past her in Tewkesbury.

The teenager was standing outside the Blue Cross charity shop in the High Street at around 4pm on Tuesday, when she noticed a woman nearby staring at her.

A short time later both the woman and the victim began walking away but then the woman started to walk towards the girl.

As she passed the teenager between, Timpsons locksmiths and Tenovus charity shop, she touched her inappropriately.

“This is a concerning incident and we commend the young victim for being so brave to come forward after what was a distressing ordeal,” said inspector Lee Solly, of the Tewkesbury local policing team.

“Officers are conducting enquiries and trawling CCTV on the High Street in order to identify the woman responsible.

“We want to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident or who saw a woman of this description in the area at the time.”

This woman is described as white, in her mid-30s or 40s, short in height and of a wide build.

She had a pale face and small eyes which were close together, and was wearing a lilac fleece type jacket with a zip and black leggings.

She was carrying a small handbag with long straps.

To provide information, call police on 101 quoting incident 381 of 13 September.

Alternatively, report information to online at: gloucestershire.police.uk/contact-us/report-a-crime-or-incident/

You can also contact the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their Anonymous Online Form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will not go to court.