DETECTIVES investigating the serious sexual assault of a teenage girl in North Yorkshire have said there has been a positive public response to their appeals for information.

A teenage girl was assaulted on playing fields at King James' School on Sunday morning, leading to forensic searches of the area, which was cordoned off throughout yesterday while investigations took place.

Detective Chief Inspector Allan Harder, of North Yorkshire Police, said: "I am very grateful to the members of the public who have already contacted me with information in relation to this extremely distressing incident.

"However, our enquiries are ongoing, and I am still appealing for people to come forward. I need to speak to anyone who was in the area of King James’s School between 9am and 11am on Sunday. Any information, no matter how slight or apparently insignificant, could be crucial to this investigation."

Officers are carrying out extra patrols in the area to provide reassurance to the local community, and the spokesman said the girl is continuing to receive support from specially trained police officers.

Anyone with information which could help police should phone 101 and ask for Harrogate CID, or phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.