Picture issued after abduction attempt

A CD-fit of the man who tried to drag the girl into the van

A CD-fit picture has been issued of a man who tried to drag a 13-year-old Hertfordshire girl off a street into the back of a van.

The abduction attempt happened as the schoolgirl was walking in Stevenage town centre with her 12-year-old friend.

Three men who were sitting in a parked yellow van in Ripon Road tried to chat with the girls as they walked past.

As the girls ignored them and continued walking, the back seat passenger in the van grabbed the teenager's arm and tried to drag her into the vehicle.

She managed to break free and the friends ran home.

On Tuesday detectives released a CD-fit of one of the suspects who is wanted in connection with the abduction attempt on 11 June.

I would urge anyone who saw the box-type van or its occupants in Ripon Road that night, or anyone with information, to contact us

Detective Constable Angie Rogers

Detective Constable Angie Rogers, of Hertfordshire Police, said: "The girls very wisely got themselves away from a potentially dangerous situation.

"I would urge anyone who saw the box-type van or its occupants in Ripon Road that night, or anyone with information, to contact us."

The man in the CD-fit was described as aged in his early 20s, with brown closely-shaved hair, a pale complexion with faint brown stubble.

He was wearing a white round-necked T-shirt and black trousers.

The driver of the van was described as white, also in his early 20s, with short brown hair, a "skinny" face and bushy eyebrows.

The front seat passenger was described as a white man in his early 20s with blond hair.