A man tried to grab a five-year-old girl when she was out playing in the park, right in front of her parents.
The brazen attempt to snatch the young girl, who is a reception pupil at a local school, lead police to launch a manhunt to track the suspect down.
The young girl had been out enjoying herself at Nuttall Park in Ramsbottom, near Bury, on Sunday afternoon around 3pm when the shocking incident unfolded.
Police say a stranger approached her and attempted to pick her up before her parents intervened and the mother was able to pull her child away from the man.
The man then ran off into nearby woodland and thankfully the child was left unharmed by the incident.
Now, detectives are hunting for a man who was seen in the area - he is described as a tall, white male, who had been wearing black gloves, a red bobble hat, a black jacket, and had a backpack on.
Chief Inspector Ian Partington of GMP’s Bury District, said: “We understand that this incident has caused some concern in the community.
“We thank the public for their patience and assistance so far, and ask that anyone with information should contact us first to aid our investigation.
“If you see the man described, call us on 101 quoting incident 1965 of the 12/2/2023.”
Following the terrifying attempt, St Andrew's CE Primary School in Ramsbottom, where the girl attends, issued a warning to parents.
In an email sent to parents on Monday, the Manchester Evening News reported that the school's headteacher Damian Marsh wrote: "An incident happened in Nuttall Park, Ramsbottom, yesterday (around 3pm) where a man attempted to grab one of the pupils from our Reception class.
"Mum managed to pull the child from him and the man ran away into the woods. The police were informed about the incident and are dealing with this.
"The man is described as: average build, quite tall, 40's, stubble beard, wearing big black gloves. I have notified our school community so they are aware and can be vigilant. I am waiting for the police to contact me."
Other details can be passed to police via their LiveChat facility on our website (www.gmp.police.uk) or by calling 101.
Information can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
