POLICE investigating the attempted murder of a 17-year-old girl in Portsmouth say the suspect could be in Dorset.

Following the release of CCTV images and an appeal directly to the community with a £5,000 reward on offer for information, police are now looking to other areas connected to Hampshire because of good transport links.

Officers are keen to hear from anyone who recognises the man in the CCTV image.

The appeal comes after a 17-year-old was attacked with a hammer at an address in Shearer Road, Portsmouth, just before 7pm on Monday, April 11.

Police believe this man was in the area of Commercial Road and Edinburgh Road on Saturday, April 9.

It is also suspected that he was in the Queen Street area of Portsea, Portsmouth, between April 9 to 11.

A £5,000 reward is being offered by Hampshire Constabulary through Crimestoppers for information leading to the arrest and successful prosecution of the man responsible for the offence.

Detective Chief Inspector Liz Williams said: “We have had a very positive response to our appeals for information so far in Portsmouth but we are continuing to use every opportunity to identify this man.

“Portsmouth is a busy city, which has good transport links to Dorset, Surrey, Sussex and London, and so we’re sharing our appeal in those areas and would urge anyone who knows this man to come forward. "This was a vicious attack on a 17-year-old girl and she has been left with life-changing injuries.

“There is a £5,000 reward on offer for information that leads to a successful prosecution in this case so I would encourage people to look at this CCTV and contact either the police or Crimestoppers.”

If you have information, or recognise the man from the CCTV, please call police on 101 quoting Operation Gather. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.