WITNESSES are being urged to come forward after an 11-year old boy was indecently assaulted near the Grand Union Canal.

At about 2pm on Sunday, some boys were fishing in the Grand Union Canal between Bilton Road and Horsenden Lane South, Perivale, when a man was seen riding his bicycle up and down the towpath. The man spoke to the boys and told them he had lost his keys. He asked if they had seen his two children.

Shortly after, the 11 year old victim was cycling alone down the canal path when he was approached by his attacker who asked the boy to help him look for his keys.

The boy rode west along the towpath with his attacker and stopped at least twice. He was then indecently assaulted by the man who then rode off in a westerly direction leaving his victim with £5 in £1 coins.

The attacker was described as a white man, aged between 35 to 50 years, of heavy to medium build. He is described as having a big wide face, short grey hair, large wrists, big hands and a slight tan. He spoke with a London accent and was wearing a striped T-shirt.

The attacker was riding an old red pedal cycle with a silver mudguard. It had a white saddle with a lamp on the front, thin tyres and a carrier over the rear wheel with straps on it.

Anyone with any information should call 020 8246 1108 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111