Police have confirmed a man tried to take a teenage girl away after approaching her from behind in a busy area.

Detectives are investigating an incident in Harlow which was reported shortly before 4.20pm yesterday.

A teenage girl was approached from behind by a man close to Oakwood Pond, between Upper Park and Fourth Avenue.

Police say he then attempted to take her away but she was able free herself and flee the area.

She is unharmed and safe. Both her and her family are being supported by specialist officers from Essex Police.

Read more >>> Teenage girl attacked by man in busy area as police appeal for witnesses

The man is believed to have left the area in the direction of Canons Brook.

There continues to be a significant policing presence in the area today as officers piece together the circumstances around the incident.

The man is described as black, skinny, aged in his early 20s, and about 5ft 10ins tall.

He has black hair, some facial hair and he was wearing a dark baseball cap and dark shorts.

Officers are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident, recognises the man described or saw any suspicious activity in the Oakwood Pond yesterday afternoon to come forward and speak to us as soon as possible.

Detective Inspector Daniela Hogan, who is leading the investigation, said: “This incident would have been very frightening for the victim, who showed such bravery in freeing herself and fleeing the area.

“We are treating this incident very seriously and there continues to be a significant policing presence in the area this evening as investigations continue to be carried out. That includes viewing CCTV and carrying out house-to-house enquiries.

“The incident happened in an area where we expect there would have been other people present who either saw or heard something.

“I need anyone who saw a teenage girl in distress or a man matching the description in this area to get in touch with my team.

“I am acutely aware that an incident of this nature will naturally cause concern among the community in Harlow, but we have a team of specialist detectives working to piece together what happened in order to identify the person responsible.”

Anyone with information should submit it at mipp.police.uk/operation/4201020122Q14-PO1.

You can also call police on 101, quoting incident 753 of June 15.