Police have stepped up patrols after a man allegedly tried to rape a 10-year-old child in broad daylight in Manchester.

The suspect approached the girl on Saturday afternoon after she had become separated from her friends, and tried to rape her on “open land” in the city’s Openshaw area, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).

The primary school pupil managed to escape and asked a dog walker for help. Police carried out a search, and extra officers are now patrolling the area but the offender remains at large.

He is described as being a man in his 20s “of Asian appearance”, with a slim build, and was wearing a dark coat at the time of the attack.

Greater Manchester Police are expected to make more details available Monday afternoon.

Detective Chief Inspector James Riley, from GMP’s City of Manchester team, said: “What happened to this young girl is understandably very upsetting and specially trained officers will continue to support her in any way they can.

“Parents and neighbours will be concerned and we have stepped up our visible police patrols throughout the coming days and nights. If you do have any worries then please feel free to approach them and they will try and assist.

After the first rape, the child flagged down a passing car, the driver of which proceeded to rape her https://t.co/odAv56T5jm — Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) July 28, 2017

“I also want to stress that we are doing everything in our power to find the man responsible for this and a dedicated team of detectives are working round the clock.

“So far we have a number of witnesses who are being extremely helpful, while we will also be continuing to knock on doors in the area to see if anyone else saw anything suspicious.

“Extensive CCTV is being examined and I can confirm that we haven’t received any other reports of this nature in the area over the weekend.

“With the help of this brave girl and the community we have a good description of the attacker and if anyone recognises it or recalls seeing a man matching that description in the area, then please call us.”