Police today appealed for help in their hunt for a driver who tried to abduct a schoolgirl from a zebra crossing.

The 11-year-old was on her way to Barstable School in Timberlog Close, Basildon, when a red Ford Mondeo pulled up beside her in nearby Timberlog Lane.

Opening his door, the driver told the girl he was there to give her a lift and asked her to get in. The girl, who police said looks younger than her age, refused.

As the man made a second attempt to persuade her, she ran off. Police described her as "very scared and worried".

Essex County Council spokesman Mike Barnett said: "This was a very worrying incident. But it demonstrates a very sensible course of action by the girl."

He added: "Schools are very active in warning children of the need to be aware of strangers. This training has prevented what could have been a very serious threat to the child."

The girl was unable to give a description of the driver, but his number plate had a P-prefix and the car had damage to the rear bumper.

Witnesses to the event on Wednesday, April 9, at 8.45am are being asked to contact PC Linda Morris at Pitsea police station on 01268 532212.

Published Thursday, April 17, 2003

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