Police have released CCTV of a man suspected of trying to kidnap a nine-year-old schoolgirl in south west London.
Scotland Yard said the youngster was on her way home from school when she was approached by an unknown man, who promised her sweets “if she came home with him”.
When she refused, he chased her down the road towards her home and grabbed her by the hair, police said.
The girl managed to get inside her house and stop him from entering.
The man started the conversation with the girl after she encountered him at a bus stop on Dover Park Drive, Wandsworth.
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: “He started a conversation and tried to convince her to come home with him, promising her sweets if she did so.
“She refused and ran away but was chased down the road by the man until she reached her address.
“As she neared the building, the suspect grabbed her by the hair but she managed to get inside and close the door behind her, stopping him from entering.”
Officers said the incident happened at 4.45pm on November 2, 2018.
Detectives from the Met’s South West CID said: “While incidents like this are rare we are very keen to trace this man and would urge anyone who can identify him to come forward.
“Anyone with information should call 101 with CAD reference 5937/02NOV.”
Police have released an image of a man they are trying to trace as part of their investigation.
The suspect has been described as a tall black male, wearing dark clothing at the time of the incident.
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