A 13-YEAR-OLD girl was kicked in the stomach twice and threatened with a knife after a man forced her off her bike in Christchurch.

Police have appealed for information following the incident which took place in Highcliffe on Thursday March 4.

At around 5pm the girl was cycling along a cut through that runs from Smugglers Lane North to Nea Close with a friend.

As she passed a man, he kicked the rear wheel of her bike, causing her to fall off.

The man kicked the girl in the stomach and was then distracted by a call on his mobile phone. The girl got back on her bike and went to ride off, but the man kicked her rear wheel again and she fell off once more.

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She was then kicked in the stomach again and the man stood over her with a small kitchen knife in his hand and threatened her before moving away.

The victim suffered grazes and soreness to the stomach as a result of the assault. The matter was reported to police on Thursday March 11.

The offender is described as white, aged in his 50s, around five feet eight inches tall, of medium build and with greying brown hair and a grey beard. He was wearing a black Puffa-style coat, dark blue jogging bottoms and red and black trainers.

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Police Constable Aaron Harvey, of East Dorset police, said: “This was a very distressing incident for the young victim. We have been carrying out a number of enquiries into the incident and, after obtaining a full account from the victim, we are now appealing for anyone with information that might assist our investigation to please come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Dorset Police on 101, quoting occurrence number 55210038982, or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.