Hampshire child abduction attempts investigated
Two attempted child abduction allegations are being investigated by police in Hampshire.
They are alleged to have taken place in Havant on Tuesday afternoon and Emsworth on Wednesday morning.
A man tried to grab a 12-year-old girl in Leigh Park and an 11-year-old boy in Southleigh Road said detectives, who believe the two incidents are linked.
The boy and girl are described as being "understandably shaken" but "not harmed in any way".
The girl was walking between Purbrook Way and Middle Park Way at about 13:50 GMT on Tuesday when a man grabbed her arms, police said.
She managed to break free and run away.
The man is described as being about 6ft (1.8m) tall, aged between 40 and 50 years-old, with tanned skin, a recent scratch mark on his left cheek and a northern accent.
He was wearing a thick, black coat, down to his knees and light blue jeans, which were tucked inside muddy, steel toe cap boots.
The boy was grabbed by the wrist at about 08:30 BMT on Wednesday by a man who got out of a van on Southleigh Road, officers said.
He screamed before escaping and running across the road into traffic, causing several drivers to beep their horns.
The van is described as dark red, with a rear sliding door, blacked out windows and lights on the front and around the roof.
Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone who recognises the description of the man to come forward.