Urgent hunt for man after schoolboy, 10, sexually assaulted at Leicester Square tube station as cops release CCTV

POLICE are urgently hunting a man after a schoolboy was sexually assaulted at Leicester Square tube station in front of his mother.

The 10-year-old was walking through the bustling station when the suspect groped him as he walked up the stairs on February 16.

Police released a CCTV image of the man they are hunting in connection with the assault

His horrified mother chased after the man but was unable to catch him before he fled, police said.

The boy was assaulted at the station at around 4.30pm on February 16.

The British Transport Police have now released a CCTV image of a man they would like to speak to regarding the incident.

A spokesman for the force said: “Do you recognise this man?

“Officers investigating a sexual assault at Leicester Square Underground station are releasing this image in connection.

“At around 4.30pm on Thursday February 16, a 10-year-old boy was walking up a set of stairs at the station with his family when a man sexually assaulted him and ran away.

“The victim’s mother chased the man through the station, but didn’t catch him.

“Officers believe the man in the CCTV image may have information which could help their investigation. If you recognise him, or have any information, please contact BTP.”

Anyone with information can contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 474 of 16 February, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.