Man attempts to abduct boy, eight

The attempted abduction took place in Pollok

A man tried to snatch an eight-year-old boy off a street in Glasgow - but was stopped when four teenagers came to the youngster's aid, police have said.

The attempted abduction took place in the Priesthill area in the south of the city at about 1645 BST on Thursday.

The boy was walking on Househillmuir Road when the man grabbed him from behind and tried to drag him off.

Four teenagers intervened and chased the man. Police have appealed for the youths to come forward.

Sgt Jane Lawson, from Pollok CID, said: "The young boy has been badly shaken up by this incident and it's important we get this man.

"We would like to speak to the four young men who came to help him so we can get a full description of the suspect."

'Obviously traumatised'

One man who knows the family said the boy had been walking to his grandmother's house with some friends when the man tried to grab him.

"I don't know where he was trying to take him, but it is a bit of a shock. He is obviously traumatised," he said.

"He said he was frightened."

He said the attacker had been in his late 20s or early 30s and had been wearing a skip cap, with his hood pulled down.