DETECTIVES investigating a serious sexual assault on a 13-year-old girl that took place on Saturday evening believe two women, who were in Newport town centre before the incident, may have information which could help with the investigation.

Police want to trace the two women who were in the vicinity of Newport Bus Station that evening between 7pm and 7.15pm who may well have been approached by the alleged offender themselves.

One woman, who was wearing dark clothing and carrying bags, is seen walking into the Bus Station from the direction of the Old Green Roundabout/High Street, and appears to wait at one of the bus stops.

Just after 7.10pm another woman, wearing a white top and headphones or earmuffs, appears to get off a bus and walks down Upper Dock Street towards Skinner Street and turns into Commercial Street.

Police believe the 13-year-old victim and the alleged offender caught the bus at the bus station and got off by the Harvester, Malpas Road, Newport and walked to a lane off Hollybush Close where the incident occurred at approximately 7.30pm.

Police also want to hear from anyone else who was in the Newport bus station area at about 7.15pm or was on the 19e town centre to Malpas bus which left the bus station at around 7.20pm.

A 26-year-old man from the Newport area has been arrested in connection with the incident and is currently in custody.

The victim and her family are receiving specialist support from officers.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting log number 491 1/3/14