This is the chilling moment a hooded stranger follows an 11-year-old girl as she walks to school in Manchester before grabbing hold of her near some bushes.
The footage, captured on a local resident’s private CCTV system, has been handed over to detectives at Greater Manchester Police.
Police confirmed the footage was being analysed and investigations were continuing.
The youngster managed to break free and run off to raise the alarm, with warnings issued to parents by schools in the Blackley area of Manchester.
The footage, captured on a local resident’s private CCTV system, has been handed over to detectives at Greater Manchester Police
A similar incident nearby was also reported the day before, according to a letter from Crab Lane Primary School which was sent home to pupils.
In the incident that was caught on CCTV the girl is seen entering the shot from the left, wearing a pink coat, a rucksack and carrying a plastic bag.
The man, who appears to be wearing a blue jacket, dark trousers and trainers, enters the shot as she walks across the junction, with his jacket hood pulled up and his face concealed.
The girl appears to realise he is behind her as he quickens his pace. She stops near a tree and the man is clearly shown to take hold of her.
The view is momentarily obscured before the girl is seen walking away followed by the man.
A hedgerow blocks the camera’s view again before the girl can be seen running away still clutching the plastic bag.
Dad-of-two John Southern, 36, contacted the local paper with the footage, saying: ‘It happened outside my door and I have three children. It is a major issue for me.
A similar incident nearby was also reported the day before, according to a letter from Crab Lane Primary School (pictured) which was sent home to pupils
Warnings been issued to parents by schools in the Blackley area of north Manchester after the incident on Acre Top Road (back)
‘My eldest daughter left for school eight minutes after this happened. Her mum received an email from the school so I checked my CCTV. I just want everyone to be aware.’
A force spokesman said the girl in the video managed to break free and run off to raise the alarm. She was unhurt.
It happened at around 8.30am on Wednesday, January 10, but details only emerged this week.
Crab Lane Primary School headteacher Pat Adams said in a letter home: ‘The matter was reported to police immediately and the child was able to give a good description.
The incident took place in the Blackley area of Manchester on Wednesday, January 10, but details only emerged this week
‘The police have informed us that a similar incident occurred near the Sainsbury’s, by the Heaton Park roundabout, the day before.
‘The police suspect that the two incidents are connected, given the short distance between them and the fact that both girls gave a similar description of the man in question.
‘Therefore, please take extra precautions to remind your children of ‘stranger danger’ and the importance of being vigilant when on the streets without an adult.’
A slim, white man aged in his 30s with blond hair and a blue jacket is described in the warnings.
Police said no one has been arrested as yet and enquries were continuing.