A teenage girl has reportedly been grabbed by a man who carried her down a street in Hawkinge.

The 17-year-old told police she managed to flee the clutches of her attacker in Swann Way.

She said a man grabbed her around the waist before picking her up and carrying her for a short distance.

It is the third incident in which a man has been reported acting suspiciously after two children were targeted in the town on the same afternoon two weeks ago.

Police today said officers were called to the scene after receiving a call a few minutes after the latest incident at about 8.15pm last Wednesday.

The suspect is reported to have fled the scene and ran off towards Heron Forstal Avenue.

He is described as a large, white man, between 5ft 8in and 6ft 2in and was wearing a black hat and black leather jacket.

On Wednesday, November 13 there were two incidents as young children were targeted.

A 10-year-old girl was said to have been followed home from school.

And on the same afternoon, a woman managed to drive away after a man tried to grab a baby from the back of a car at traffic lights.

Police stepped up patrols around Hawkinge Primary School after the incidents.

Kent Police have not confirmed if they are linking any of the three incidents.

Witnesses or anyone with information is asked to phone police in Folkestone on 01303 289088, quoting reference ZY/35292/13.