Girl attacked on walk to school

A nine-year-old girl has been attacked as she walked to school in Liverpool.

A man grabbed the girl's hair and pulled her to the ground as she walked with her younger brother in Craighurst Road in Childwall on Wednesday.

Merseyside Police described the incident as "extremely serious" and have stepped up patrols in the area.

A passer-by came to the girl's aid and the attacker ran off. Police said the girl was shaken by her ordeal, but not seriously injured.

'Remain vigilant'

Insp Keith Porter, of Merseyside Police, said: "At this stage the motive for the assault is not clear and I would appeal for anyone with information about what happened to come forward.

"In the meantime I would ask people to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious to the police.

"I would also advise parents, if they do not accompany their children to school, to make sure that they walk together in groups or with an older child where possible as a precaution."

The attacker is described as having short dark hair, aged in his 20s, and was wearing a blue hooded jumper underneath his jacket.