Police are hunting for a man accused of trying to abduct two schoolgirls, both 11, in Newham, East London.
The girls had been walking to school on Woolwich Manor Way around 8.10am on November 19, when they were approached by a man swigging from a bottle. He then grabbed one of the victims by the arm and tried to drag her away.
Her friend then grabbed her other arm and eventually the pair were able to escape by running away, police said.
Giving a description of the suspect, detectives said he was black, with short dark hair, a medium or ‘chubby’ build and about 6ft tall.
He is also believed to be around 30 years old, and was wearing a navy knitted hat, dark-grey coat, black jogging bottoms, black t-shirt and possibly a navy gilet.
Officers are now calling for anyone with further information to urgently come forward. No arrests have been made in the investigation so-far.
PC Harry Albon, of the Met Police, said: ‘Although the girls were not physically harmed, they were understandably shaken by this incident.
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‘At the time the girls were approached there were a number of young people on their way to school who may have seen the victims struggling to get away from the suspect.
‘It is important that those people make themselves known to police and share what they saw.’
He added: ‘Officers from North East Command Unit continue in their efforts to identify the man.
‘They are working closely with the school to ensure that both staff and pupils are supported, and that the male is identified and apprehended without delay.’
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