POLICE are hunting for a man who tried to snatch an 11-year-old girl off the street in Altrincham.

The man - who was wearing a black cowboy hat - tried to drag the child into a white Transit van.

Fortunately, the youngster managed to fight him off and run away.

The girl suffered the terrifying ordeal when she was walking on on Moss Lane, close to the junction with Queens Road when a man pulled up in a white transit van, between 3:30pm and 3:35pm on Friday, July 21.

The man engaged her in conversation before offering her sweets and a lift home.

When the girl spurned his advances he attempted to drag her into the van through an open window, but she got free and ran away.

The van then was then seen to do a U-turn and head in the direction of Altrincham Football Club.

The offender is described as a white man, approximately 38-years-old with light brown shaven hair. He was wearing a black cowboy hat and dark clothing.

Detective Constable Steve Matthias, of GMP’s Trafford Borough, said: “This man grabbed his victim as she walked to Stamford Park from school in the middle of the day when there could have been a number of witnesses nearby.

“The whole ordeal has left her understandably terrified and we are keen to speak to anyone who may have any information that can help with our enquiries.”

Anybody with information should contact police on 101, quoting the incident number 1439 of 21/07/17, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.