Police are hunting for a motorist who tried to drag a young girl into his car.

The 14-year-old was walking along Stambridge Road in Rochford on Thursday evening when a car pulled alongside her.

Its driver wound down the window and told her to get into the vehicle. She refused and the man tried to grab hold of the teenager and pull her into the car.

Luckily the girl managed to get away and run home. Police are not linking this incident with a series of sex attacks in the Southend area.

Chief Insp Dave King, of Rayleigh police, said: "The girl was accosted at around 5.45pm.

"We would like to trace this man and are looking for any witnesses or somebody who may know him or the car."

The man is described as aged between 25 and 30, white, with short brown hair cut into a French crop style and was wearing a suede jacket.

He was driving a red Ford Escort with an Essex FM sticker on the back window.

It was a sporty type with a spoiler on the back and black and white checked rear seat covers.

If you can help with any information contact Rayleigh crime management unit on 01268 775533 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 .

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