Police seek possible witness in assault on Surrey girl, 6

Police in Surrey, B.C., are looking for a woman they say might have seen the man who attacked a six-year-old girl last week.

The attack happened last Friday evening in the area of 139th Street & 62nd Avenue. The girl was walking home with her 12-year-old brother and his friend, 15, when a man with a knife threatened the boys, separated them from the girl and assaulted her.

Police say they are looking for an Indo-Canadian woman believed to be in her 40s who might have passed the young victim and two boys just before the assault took place.

While police try to locate the woman, investigators are also combing through cases as far back as the 1990s, trying to identify any cases that have similar types of assailants or sex crimes.

Police were also out in force Wednesday morning canvassing the neighbourood for information.

More than 40 police officers were knocking on doors, seeking any clues that might help them find the assailant.

Police say calls for vigilante justice are an indication people in the area are eager to help with the investigation.

"I think what that's doing, when people are saying 'Give him to me for few minutes, and I'll take care of business,' what that's telling me is, ultimately, people want this guy caught," said Sgt. Roger Morrow with the Surrey RCMP.

Police released a composite sketch of the attacker on Monday afternoon. They are looking for a dark-skinned young man – possibly Hispanic, Asian or South Asian – in his late 20s or early 30s with very short, dark hair.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.