Police are seeking a 'very scruffy unkempt' man who approached a young girl as she walked home from school in Plymouth.

The 13-year-old local girl was walking between Berry Head Gardens and Southwell Road in Crownhill around 4pm on Monday, June 9, when the man approached and made a grab for her.

He tried to pull her rucksack away from her but she managed to get away and raise the alarm. She was uninjured in the incident but left feeling shaken.

Police are now seeking the suspect who is described as white, in his 50s, around 5ft 8ins tall and of very slim build. He was of very scruffy unkempt appearance and was wearing a red hooded top, black tracksuit bottoms and no shoes.

Anyone who knows the man or has seen anyone matching his description is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, quoting crime reference CR/080058/14.

Local schools and residents have been informed about the incident while officers and PCSOs have been carrying out reassurance patrols in the area.