Girl escapes attempted abduction

Police are hunting a man who tried to abduct an 11-year-old girl as she walked to school in Salford.

The girl was walking along Shearwater Drive, Walkden, just after 0800 BST when a man approached her and asked her to get in his car.

When she refused the man grabbed her coat but she pulled free and ran off.

The offender is described as white with short brown spiked hair, brown eyes, distinctive sideburns and has one of his upper front teeth missing.

Pick-up truck

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident and say the man drove off in a black pick-up truck.

Det Con Dan Worthington from Swinton CID said: "The victim was absolutely right to politely refuse a lift from this man, and she should be praised for having the bravery to run away and report this.

"We are following a number of lines of inquiry to trace the man responsible for this worrying incident, and want to urge people not to panic because we are doing everything we can to find him.

"The girl has given us a really good description of the offender.

"He is obviously quite distinctive looking, and drives quite a unique vehicle. If you have seen him, or you know who he is, I urge you to call us immediately."