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An 11-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by three boys younger than ten at a travellers' funeral, police say.

The young victim and her friend were attacked by the three boys - thought to be guests at the funeral - as they walked through the cemetery.

The boys kissed the girl and sexually assaulted her at at 3.30pm on Thursday, October 20.

Her friend managed to run off.

As the assault took place, a man cycled through the cemetery and shouted at the boys to stop.

The group then walked off from the scene.

The man cycled off and the victim ran to join her friend who was hiding nearby to Teddington Cemetery, in Richmond, London.

They then both made their way home and told their parents what had happened.

Police were called and found a funeral was taking place at the cemetery at the time which was attended by members of the travelling community.

The three boys were described as white, with short blond or brown hair, and wearing blue suits made of shiny material and white shirts.

They were all believed to be under the age of ten and police think they were in the cemetery to attend the funeral. Inquiries have continued to trace the group.

Police constable Jamie Oprey, of Richmond CID was leading the investigation.

He said: "The victim has been left extremely distressed by this attack which took place in broad daylight in the middle of the afternoon.

"I am keen to speak to anyone who was in the cemetery at the time of the incident and could help us identify the boys responsible.

"I am also keen to speak to the man on the bicycle who intervened and stopped the attack - his information could prove invaluable in helping to find these boys."