An eight-year-old girl was attacked in a Brighton street as she returned the short distance home from posting a letter.
Sussex Police said: “Detectives in Brighton are seeking a man who attacked an eight-year-old girl in the city centre before running off when witnesses challenged him.
“The man is described as white, in his twenties, about 5ft 6in, slim and with dark hair, wearing jeans and a beige jacket.
“He had followed the girl for a short distance as she walked home along Gloucester Street, Brighton, at about 8.15am on Saturday (5 May) having been to post a letter for her parents at a letter box in nearby North Road.
“Just after she turned the corner into Tidy Street he ran up and grabbed hold of her, pushing her to the ground but fortunately this was seen by two passers-by who shouted at him and he ran off in the direction of Trafalgar Street.
“The girl was severely shocked and sustained some grazes but did not need hospital treatment.”
Detective Inspector Lee Horner said: “The motive for this attack is not clear and we have no other recent reports of similar approaches to young children.
“It was a very frightening experience for the young girl and we need to find this man as quickly as possible.
“If you were in the area on Saturday morning and saw anything of what happened, or if you have any other information, please contact us right away on 101 or online, quoting Operation Overdown.”
