Lancashire Police are calling for witnesses who may have seen a teenage girl in a distressed state in Leyland last Thursday, October 5. The girl, aged 13, was discovered by a dog walker at approximately 19.30 BST near Tesco. She appeared disoriented and had significant bruising on her legs.
According to reports, the girl has little memory of the events leading up to her discovery and is unsure how or why she sustained her injuries. It is believed that she had been walking in the Canberra Road and King Street areas prior to being found.
The dog walker who came across the girl managed to assist her and bring her back to her parents’ home, but did not provide his contact information. Police are now urging the dog walker to come forward and provide any additional information he may have. They are keen to speak with him and gather more details about the incident.
Investigators are also appealing to anyone who may have seen the girl between 18.30 and 19.30 BST on the day in question. She is described as a white teenager with a slim build, standing at approximately 5 feet tall. She has long brown hair tied in a ponytail and was wearing pale blue shorts, a black Nike top, and black, grey, and pink trainers.
Detective Sergeant Andrew Causey of Lancashire Police’s South Division expressed the need for assistance in piecing together the timeline of events. He stated, “We appreciate this is quite a vague appeal but the girl was injured and very confused, with little memory of the previous two hours, so we need to establish what has happened and ascertain whether anything criminal took place.”
The girl has informed authorities that she met some friends close to Tesco around 17.30 but recalls very little after that until she was taken home.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact them immediately. Detective Sergeant Causey emphasised, “Anybody who saw her and can help us is asked to get in touch. Similarly, if anybody thinks they know who the good Samaritan was – or if they see this appeal – we would ask them to get in touch.”
Those with information can call 101 and quote log 1548 of October 5th. Alternatively, they can visit the police website and request contact from Detective Sergeant Andrew Causey.