Police in Leeds are hunting a man who fled after a 12-year-old girl he tried to abduct managed to fight back.

The incident, which happened at around 9.15am last Tuesday, 23 April, saw him grab the youngster by the waist and carry her towards a secluded wooded area behind an electricity substation.

She had been on her way to school when she was approached near the M621 flyover.

Image: The man fled when the girl fought back

The man ran off after the girl fought back and the suspect - described as white, medium height and build, with short dark hair and a beard - was also seen by a woman, who contacted police.

She was also able to film him on her phone as he fled, and can be seen in the footage wearing a blue hoodie, a black t-shirt and beige trousers, with black stripes down each leg.


West Yorkshire Police has released the video, in addition to CCTV images, in a bid to track him down.

Image: The suspect was also disturbed by a female passer-by after the abduction attempt

Detective Inspector James Entwistle said: "The circumstances of this incident are clearly very disturbing and we urgently need to identify the man shown in these images.

"The woman who intervened was able to film him on her phone as he ran off across a nearby park off Moor Road and we also have CCTV footage of him in the area which we are releasing.

"We believe the man is quite identifiable from these images and we would like to hear from anyone who recognises him or who has seen him in the area.

Detectives have released footage & images of a man they want to identify over the abduction of a 12-year-old girl in #Leeds. The victim was on her way to school on Old Run Road, #Hunslet, at about 9.15am on Tuesday, April 23, when she was approached by a man near the M621 flyover pic.twitter.com/YsTplkkO7n — West Yorkshire Police (@WestYorksPolice) April 29, 2019

"The victim and her family have been left shocked and upset by what happened and we are continuing to support them as we progress the investigation.

"We recognise the understandable concern that an incident such as this will be causing in the community and we are continuing to work closely with our colleagues in the local neighbourhood policing team to reassure people."

:: Anyone with information is asked to contact Leeds District CID via 101, quoting crime reference 13190207155, or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.