POLICE are hunting a man who tried to grab a teenager as she walked to school.

The 13-year-old girl was in Church Road, Pitsea, when the incident happened.

She was approached by a man who claimed to be a social worker.

He grabbed the girl’s wrist, but she was able to wrestle free and run away.

Police are now hunting the man and have released an e-fit of the suspect.

PC Alan Conran said: “We have been carrying out a thorough investigation of this incident, but we need the public’s help to identify the man in the e-fit.

“Thankfully, the victim was uninjured, but it must have been a very frightening for her.

“If you recognise him, please call us.”

The man is black, aged between 41 and 60, with black shaven, short hair.

He had “dirty teeth” and wore a brown zip-up bomber jacket with pockets, a black purple and brown checked shirt, blue jeans, black and white Adidas trainers and was carrying a briefcase.

Witnesses to the incident, at 8am on Tuesday, November 1, can call PC Conran, at Laindon police, on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.