A hunt has been launched to find a sex attacker who put his hand up a woman's skirt as she walked down a busy street.

The woman was said to be walking down Coldharbour Lane in Northfleet between 5.35pm and 5.45pm last Monday when she became aware of a man watching and following her.

She turned into Waterdales, and the man came up behind her and put his hand up her skirt, touching her bottom.

When she challenged him, he asked her to take down her knickers. When she threatened to call the police the attacker apologised and fled.

Police have now released this efit of a man wanted in connection with the assault.

The suspect is said to be around 6ft tall, with black hair, a medium build and a dark marking on his right cheek.

He was wearing dark jeans, black boots and a grey hooded jacket with a blue bodywarmer over the top.

Police also want to trace a male driver of a white van parked on Vale Road at around the time the offence took place.

The victim made eye contact with the driver before she was assaulted and it is believed he may have seen the offender.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Angela Costin, of Kent Police, said: ‘We take offences of this nature extremely seriously and will not tolerate this sort of behaviour."

Anyone who recognises the man, or the white van driver, should call Kent Police on 101, quoting crime reference XY/3850/13.