The VPD are looking for a man who groped a 12-year-old girl in the West End last night.

Shortly after 9:00 p.m., three young girls left the local community centre. As they walked past the 7-Eleven at Denman and Comox Street, they noticed a man staring at them as he stood outside the store whispering to another man.

The group of girls continued west to Chilco Street when the person they noticed earlier, outside the convenience store, allegedly ran up and sexually assaulted the 12-year-old by groping her. He then quickly ran away east along Pendrell Street and north on Guilford.

The girl was extremely shaken and upset, but not physically injured.

The man is described as white with a light complexion, 5’8″ – 5’10” tall, and some facial hair. He was wearing grey clothing, a dark coloured hat, and had a black backpack.

Police searching the area were unable to locate a suspect and are conducting a thorough canvass for any video that may have captured images that will help identify him.