A schoolgirl was grabbed by a stranger outside her Merseyside primary school.
Detectives are investigating reports the 10-year-old had her hand grabbed by an unknown man outside Bedford Drive primary school in Birkenhead.
She managed to break free and alert a teacher, who called the police.
Officers were called to a report of suspicious behaviour on Bedford Road in Birkenhead on Tuesday.
A spokesman for Merseyside police confirmed an investigation was underway.
He said: “At about 3.45pm a report was received that a 10-year-old girl had her hand grabbed by an unknown male as she left Bedford Drive primary school.
“The girl broke free of the man’s grasp, went back into the school and alerted a teacher who subsequently reported the matter to the police.
“Patrols attended and a search of the area was undertaken.”
The girl was uninjured but has been left shaken following the ordeal.
The police spokesman added: "We treat all reports of suspicious behaviour seriously and are keen to speak to the man involved or anyone in the area at the time, to help establish the full circumstances of the incident.
"Officers from the neighbourhood team work closely with local schools in the area to and regularly give "stranger danger” advice to pupils."
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police on 0151 777 2275 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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