Police were today hunting a man who tried to abduct a six-year-old girl in Colchester.

The man tried to walk away with the youngster from the children's play area at the junction of Speedwell Road and Old Heath Road at 8.15pm yesterday.

The girl managed to escape and told her parents what had happened.

Police are linking the incident with one which happened one hour later, where a man of a similar description followed two boys.

The youngsters, aged 11 and 14, were so distressed they called police from a phone box in Queen Elizabeth Avenue, Monkwick.

The man is described as being in his early 20s, white and 5ft 10ins tall.

He wore a white T-shirt with short sleeves, black boots and jeans. He had a shaven head and tattoos on his arms.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Colchester police on 01206 762212

Published Monday June 14, 2004

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