POLICE in Rochford are warning the public to be wary after a young girl was approached by a man who tried to abduct her in broad daylight.
The 12-year-old girl was walking towards the shops at around midday on July 30 when a man approached her from behind in Ashcombe near its junction with Holt Farm Way and grabbed her. She says that he held a gloved hand over her mouth and had a knife. Fortunately she was able to kick out at the man and was able to run off.
The man is described as white, wearing a black, long sleeved top, black jeans and black leather gloves
Police immediately searched the area and made house to house enquiries but no one was located.
Detectives want to hear from anyone who was in the area and has any information about the man described. DS Bob Evans said: “This is an extremely worrying incident that happened in broad daylight. We need to find the man responsible.
“The girl remembers an elderly woman pushing a shopping trolley in the area at the time of the incident and I appeal for that woman or anyone else with information to contact me at Southend CID on 0300 333 4444.”