A young girl screamed and ran away when a hooded man went to grab her in an alleyway as she made her way to school.

The 13-year-old had been walking with friends to Highworth Grammar School when she became separated from them and was walking though an alleyway near Kent Avenue.

The incident happened on Friday, May 18 at about 8.10am.

The girl had been with two friends before finding herself alone with an unshaven man in a dark blue hoody who lunged at her arm as she tried to pass.

He is described as being in his 30s, about 5ft 8in tall, with a shaved head, of heavy build, wearing a dark blue hooded top on with a white logo on the front.

Police were called when the girl arrived at school and CCTV cameras in the area are currently being checked.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting reference ZY/13676.