Police patrols are to be stepped up near a school after a man grabbed a schoolgirl and tried to pull her towards his car.

Officers will be working near Rainham School for Girls, in Derwent Way, this week.

It comes after an incident on Thursday being described by the force as 'suspicious'.

A girl walking to school was approached by a man who grabbed her arm and tried to pull her to his car.

The girl screamed and the man ran off back to his car and drove off towards the A2. The girl was unharmed and managed to run to school to report the incident.

The man was driving a white Mercedes with tinted windows and is described as a white man with tanned skin, 6ft tall, aged 35 to 40, of large build.

He has short brown receding hair and a short brown beard. He also had a large bumpy nose.

Chief Inspector Simon Alland, said: "Incidents where children are approached in this manner are extremely rare but naturally cause concern in the community.

"Children are regularly taught at school how to stay safe and deal with incidents like this and the girl did exactly the right thing on this occasion.

"In the meantime, my officers are carrying out enquiries to try and trace this man and I would urge anyone with information that may help, to contact us on 101.’