A mum has described the horrifying moment three men "tried to snatch" her nine-year-old daughter in a park before allegedly exposing themselves to other children.

Kat Thorogood was with a group of four adults and 10 youngsters when it was said to have happened as they walked through a popular Sittingbourne beauty spot.

Her daughter was cycling ahead of the party when three men approached from behind and grabbed her by the waist. They let her go when she started crying.

It happened in Milton Creek Country Park at 6.50pm last Thursday .

Mrs Thorogood’s partner, David Friday, confronted the men, who walked off.

The mum-of-four said: “They pulled her bike to a stop and then grabbed her by the waist, they then walked off and left her crying.

“My partner went up to them and said, ‘What are you doing?’ and one of them tried to apologise.”

Just minutes after the men had walked off, the group came across two girls, who were with a young baby in a pushchair, and looked visibly upset.

After asking if they were okay, the girls told them the men had exposed themselves.

Mrs Thorogood, 30, said although her daughter was recovering from the terrifying incident, she is afraid to go to the recreation area again.

She said: “She’s shaken and doesn’t want to go to the park anymore.

“I feel lucky – it could’ve been worse for my daughter. I feel worse for the other girls" - Kat Thorogood

“I feel lucky – it could’ve been worse for my daughter. I feel worse for the other girls.”

A police spokesman said: “A 23-year-old man, a 22-year-old man and a 24-year-old man, all believed to be from the Sittingbourne area, have been arrested.

“All three have been bailed until July 23 pending further inquiries.”

A spokesman for Swale council, which is responsible for maintaining the park, said: “We have arranged increased patrols from our wardens and will continue to work with the police and the local community to ensure that the park remains a safe environment for visitors to enjoy.”