Police seek suspect after 9‑year‑old assaulted in Herten, Germany

On the afternoon of 15 July 2026, a 9‑year‑old girl was sexually assaulted on Langenbochumer Straße in Herten. A man approached the child, asked if she wanted to play, and after she declined, exposed his genitals. The girl quickly fled home and her mother reported the incident to the police, which opened an investigation.

The suspect is described as a male, about 40 years old, slim, a smoker, speaking standard German, and wearing a long blue‑coloured trouser, a black T‑shirt and a black baseball cap. Police are urging anyone who was in the area around 15:00 hrs to provide information. Witnesses can call the criminal police hotline at 0800 2361 111.

Investigators have released the description and are actively seeking leads to locate the perpetrator.