A MAN who tried to abduct a young girl as she walked home from a park is being hunted by detectives.

The terrified 11-year-old was snatched as she walked along an alleyway after she had left the park.

She had been playing close to Murray Road, Frindsbury, near Rochester, when the man grabbed the girl and pulled her into a nearby graveyard. After a short while she managed to escape.

Detectives are appealing for anyone who may have been in the area at the time, about 6.45pm last Thursday, to contact them as a matter of urgency.

The young girl had been playing in a park near to Murray Road, when she left to walk home. As she made her way along an alleyway which leads from Murray Road to Parsonage Lane, she was grabbed by the man.

The girl managed to struggle with him and escape after a car drove along Parsonage Lane scared him off.

He ran from the graveyard and the frightened girl made ran along the alleyway and back to home via Murray Road.

The girl has been unable to give a description of her attacker. But investigating officers are hopeful someone may have been in the area at the time and recognise the girl, especially people walking their dogs.

They would also like to hear from the driver of the vehicle which drove along Parsonage Lane.

Det Sgt Tony Cannon said: "We are urging anyone with any information to contact us immediately. We must identify this man to ensure he does not pose a risk to anyone.

"We urge members of the public to remain vigilant. However, at the moment this appears to be an isolated incident."

Anyone with any information can call detectives on 01634 884160 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.