A young girl was walking to a Suffolk school when a man grabbed her shoulder and told her to go with him.
Suffolk police said the assault happened in Withersfield Road, Haverhill, at around 8.30am on Friday.
The nine-year-old victim was approached by the man, who grabbed her right shoulder, before she walked away.
She managed to escape uninjured and told teachers at school about the attack.
The suspect is described as 5ft 5ins tall, skinny with short, black greasy hair. He had a black beard and was wearing a blue polo-type shirt.
Witnesses or people with information are asked to contact Suffolk police on 101 quoting crime reference 37/24263/18.
Alternatively, people can call the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
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