Police release picture of 'child abuse witness' on BBC's Watchdog

Detectives took the unprecedented step today of issuing pictures of a potential witness in a child sex abuse inquiry.

The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) launched its first public appeal to find a man who may be able to help police with an ongoing investigation. He was captured on camera in an Asda store in the north of England, but police believe he could be anywhere in the country.

Footage of the witness, who is aged between 30 and 40, up to 6ft tall and stocky with receding hair, will be broadcast on BBC1?s Crimewatch programme tonight.

Ceop officers do not know who the man is, but they hope that he or someone who recognises him will contact them after seeing the pictures.

Detective Constable John Hodge, from Ceop?s operations faculty, said: ?We are asking the public to come forward and help us identify this man.

?As a key witness, we believe he may have vital information that could help us identify a child at risk. He may not even realise that he possesses information that could help, so it is vital we trace him.?

Ceop, launched in April 2006 as the UK?s national police agency to tackle child sexual abuse, stressed that the man was only sought as a witness and warned against vigilante action.

The Times Online