DETECTIVES are investigating a “serious assault” on a schoolgirl, alleged to have taken place close to family homes in Poole.

Police sealed off a copse area near terraced homes in Northmere Drive, Alderney, after the incident on Sunday evening.

A Dorset Police spokesman said officers attended after reports that a 15-year-old had been assaulted.

An alley running behind homes was taped off yesterday, with officers in marked police cars guarding both entrances.

Residents, who had not been told what had happened, told the Daily Echo they heard police activity around 10pm on Sunday.

Neighbours say several police cars, a van and a dog unit attended the scene, along with scenes of crimes officers.

One, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “We’ve woken up to all this police activity and nobody has been able to tell us what was going on.

“It is worrying as a lot of elderly people and children live around here. No one wants something like this right on their doorstep.”

The alley behind the homes leads to a popular open area where young people congregate.

The police spokesman confirmed: “Dorset Police are investigating an allegation of serious assault against a 15-year-old girl in the copse area opposite the allotments on Northmere Drive, Alderney, between the hours of 8.30pm and 9pm on Sunday evening.

“Police are appealing to anybody who witnessed anything suspicious or who was in the area to contact them.”