Manhunt is launched by police after two attempts to abduct girls

POLICE are hunting a suspect after two attempted abductions on girls.

A “smart-looking” man is said to have approached one child, aged 11, as she was waiting for a bus near the Crown and Sceptre pub in Streatham Hill, shortly before 8am on Tuesday.

The girl refused his offer and got on the bus.

At a similar time the following day, a suspect allegedly grabbed hold of a 13-year-old girl’s hand and began to drag her towards Archbishop Park in Lambeth.

A passing dog walker shouted at him and the victim was able to escape his grasp and run home.

Police described the abduction bids as “very worrying” and believe they could involve the same man.

The suspect in the first attempt was described as white, about 5ft 10in tall with medium build and short blond hair. He was wearing a black bomberstyle jacket, blue jeans, and black laceup leather shoes described as “smart looking”.

The suspect in the second one is also described as white and aged between 35 and 40. He was said to be wearing black thick-frame square glasses as well as a baseball cap, jacket and trousers — all of them black.

Detective Inspector Ian Kenward, from Lambeth CID, said: “These are two very worrying incidents and we appeal to anyone who was in or around the areas at the time they occurred to contact police.

“Any piece of information may prove valuable to the investigation.”

Witnesses and people with any information are urged to contact Lambeth CID on 020 8649 2134.

To give information anonymously they can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppersuk.org @Matt_watts80