Police in West Yorkshire have arrested three men following a serious sexual assault on two schoolgirls at a busy shopping centre in Leeds.
Incident at Seacroft Shopping Centre
The alleged offences took place at the Seacroft shopping centre in Leeds at approximately 8.45pm yesterday. Officers were called to the scene following reports of suspicious behaviour, leading to an area being cordoned off and the presence of multiple emergency vehicles.
Police Investigation and Arrests
West Yorkshire Police moved swiftly, initially arresting two men, aged 38 and 44, on suspicion of sexual assault. The investigation continued today, with officers detaining a third man, aged 20, over the same allegation. All three suspects remain in police custody as of the latest update.
The force has confirmed that Leeds District Safeguarding officers are leading the ongoing enquiries. Their work focuses on supporting the young victims and piecing together the full circumstances of the distressing incident. The exact ages of the two schoolgirls have not been disclosed by authorities.
Appeal for Information and Increased Patrols
In response to the incident, police have increased visible patrols in the Seacroft area to provide public reassurance while the probe continues. Detectives are urging anyone with information to come forward.
A police spokesman stated: 'Enquiries remain ongoing by Leeds District Safeguarding officers to support the victims and determine the full circumstances of what occurred.'
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact the Leeds District Safeguarding Unit directly. When calling, please reference the police crime number: 13250746106. The non-emergency number to call is 101.
