Youngsters chase away attacker

The children chased the man into Plymstock

Children who chased a man out of a Devon wood may have prevented a serious assault on a young girl, say police.

The man fled after the boys found him with the 10-year-old girl in The Spinney at Plympton, near Plymouth.

Sergeant Dave Anning, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said: "It's likely that if they had not interrupted, a serious assault might have happened."

The children were aged between 10 and 14.

The man escaped after being chased through nearby Ridgeway road and New Park Road.

I would praise these children for being sensible enough to look after each other

Sergeant Dave Anning

Police now want to hear from anyone who saw a man hanging about in the woods in recent days.

He is described as slim, white, aged about 30 who wore a blue fleece, dark jeans and metal-framed glasses.

Sergeant Anning said: "We think it's likely this is a local person."

"I would praise these children for being sensible enough to look after each other.

"We would always encourage children to play together in groups in the countryside."

The girl has been interviewed by child protection officers and a special operations group has been called in to search the area.

Local people are being asked to check their gardens in case the man dropped anything while escaping.