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Is this another sex fiend victim?

Ben Turner
6/ 7/2004

ROCHDALE'S serial sex attacker may have claimed his 11th victim.

Detectives say an indecent assault on a 17-year-old Kirkholt girl in Queensway this morning (Tuesday) could be the work of the hooded man who has struck 10 times since February.

Hartley Lane, where the incident happened, was cordoned off between Daventry Road and Queens Drive as officers searched for evidence.

Detective Inspector Martin Jeffs said: "We are treating this as possibly the 10th attack and his 11th victim. However we have yet to interview the girl involved and I must stress that the investigation is still at an early stage."

The attack took place at the junction of Hartley Lane and Daventry Road at about 6.10am.

Chief Superintendent Terry Sweeney has admitted the month-long manhunt is now being treated with the seriousness of a murder inquiry and, as a sign of this, officers closed Hartley Lane under new 'contingency measures'.

Mr Jeffs said: "We are automatically putting barriers up now and investigating as if we are dealing with a murder."

Anyone with information should call Rochdale CID on 0161 856 8543.