A man “wearing a mask and carrying a knife” reportedly tried to grab a child yesterday afternoon.

The incident allegedly happened in Staplehurst Road, Sittingbourne, near the Jenny Wren pub at around 4.20pm.

The girls were walking to the shops to get some sweets when the incident is said to have happened.

One of the girls’ dad’s told KentOnline: “There is a little wooded area nearby and the man kind of pounced out of the area and grabbed my daughter on the shoulder.

“She thought he was carrying a knife. My daughter kind of managed to wriggle free and just ran. They managed to get away from him.

“They ran to the shop and told the woman in the shop what had happened - they were the ones who contacted the police.

“The daughter called me from there and I turned up as well, and the other girl's parents'. It was just my daughter he grabbed the other friend was just in front of her.

“He was masked, he was wearing a black hoodie. He was large, white and the girls said he was shorter than me so about 5ft 9in.

“That was all they could say, they couldn't see any facial features or anything. He had in his hands a metal object that looked like a knife.

“My daughter’s fine. She was shook up and upset last night but she's okay. She went to school today.”

Cllr James Hunt (Con), who represents The Meads ward on Swale council, is encouraging people in the area to stay vigilant.

He said: “I am aware of a potential incident at around 16.20pm yesterday on Staplehurst Road near the Jenny Wren, where a child was reported to have been grabbed by a male wearing a mask and carrying a knife.

“I have contacted Kent Police for an update and reassurance that this is being investigated.

“In the meantime please remain vigilant and report anything suspicious. The Meads is a safe area so I would hope that this is an isolated incident.

“If anyone saw anything and has any information please contact Kent Police on 101 or via their website.”

A spokesman for the police said: “Kent Police was called at 4.20pm on Wednesday to a report two children had seen a man acting suspiciously in a wooded area near Quartz Way.

“The man did not speak to the children or approach them. No offences were reported but local patrols were made aware.”