POLICE have launched an investigation after a young girl was indecently assaulted as she walked through a cemetery.

The 11-year-old victim was in Bell Road cemetery at Sittingbourne on Monday when she stepped aside to let a man pass.

He touched her chest and then began to unzip his fly, at which point the girl ran away.

The girl lives in the Sittingbourne area. The man is described as white, aged between 40 and 49, five feet three inches tall, of stocky build with a reddish brown moustache.

He wore sunglasses, a baseball cap and jeans.

Swale Police's youth crime reduction officer PC Ann Jones warned the public to be vigilant as he might be a persistent offender.

She said: "I would like to urge anyone who sees anyone acting suspiciously to report them to us so we can investigate. In cases like this, descriptions are very important as we can piece together whether the offender is persistent.

"By doing this it will allow us to see if a set pattern of behaviour is emerging. I would advise parents that, if they are unable to walk their child to school, they should try to arrange for their child to walk with friends.

"If this is not possible, urge them to resist taking short cuts and to walk the long way round."

Anyone with information that could help police investigation is asked to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or Swale Police on 01795 477055.