Toronto police are searching for a man wanted in connection with the abduction of an eight-year-old girl — who is now safe — near Blaydon Public School in North York on Friday.

According to police, around 3:30 p.m., the young girl was walking in front of the school, located at 25 Blaydon Ave., near Tavistock Road and Keele Street.

The girl was allegedly approached by a strange man, who grabbed her and covered her mouth with his hand. He then lifted her off the ground and dragged her for 60 metres to an SUV, and attempted to force her into the vehicle, police say.

Toronto police Const. David Hopkinson says the girl was able to break free as the man was opening the door of the vehicle, and then run to get help from an adult.

Hopkinson noted that the incident is being investigated as an abduction instead of an attempted abduction because the man had the victim in his possession, as he dragged her to his car, before she was able to escape.

"This is a concerning thing," said Toronto police Const. David Hopkinson, who says an officer, protecting children is his number one duty. (Michael Rich/CBC)

"Three-thirty in the afternoon. Broad daylight. Right when school lets out, right in front of a public school," he said.

Hopkinson said that although it may seem strange that such a brazen act went unnoticed at such a busy time, the man picked up the young girl very quickly, and stopped her from making any noise.

"Some people might find it common for a parent to pick up a child, not knowing if they have any relationship," he said.

Police are now searching for the suspect, described as between 40 and 50 years old, with a skinny build and short grey hair.

Toronto police released this image of the vehicle driven by the suspect, The vehicle is described as a red Mazda CX-5 with tinted windows. (Toronto Police Service)

He was wearing a blue and pink t-shirt, grey sweat pants, and black dress shoes, and fled in what was believed to be a red Mazda CX-5 with tinted windows, police say.

"An eight-year-old girl has no chance against an adult male," Hopkinson said.

But he said the incident is a good example of how to teach kids what to do in a situation similar to this one.

"When that little girl got her opportunity, she struggled and fought and broke free and ran ... that is exactly what we want," Hopkinson said.

Otherwise, he says safety tips for children include walking in groups and well-lit areas, and walking with an adult whenever possible.

'It is frightening'

Jaime Marroquin-Balmaceda lives across the street from the school, which his two kids and niece attend.

"There's that feeling that as a parent, our kids are at school, I'm at work — you never know what can happen," he told CBC Toronto Sunday. "It's scary."

After hearing of Friday's incident, Marroquin-Balmaceda says he bought a camera and installed it outside the front of his home. He says he plans to set up even more around the house.

"We never had problems in this area until that," he said. "It is an issue ... there has to be more safety precautions for the kids."

He says teachers or volunteers should be stationed in school parking lots after classes end to ensure kids are being picked up by the right driver.

Ryan Bird, spokesperson for the Toronto District School Board, says the TDSB is aware of the incident, and will be going over street safety tips with students on Monday.

"We will be reviewing street proofing tips with students on Monday and will be sending home a letter to parents to ensure they're made aware," Bird said in a statement to CBC Toronto.