Police investigating the attempted abduction of an eight-year-old girl in the North Laine area of Brighton are keen to trace three people who were near the scene.
They have arrested a 24-year-old suspect from Brighton and are racing to find potential witnesses.
Sussex Police said: “The girl was walking along Gloucester Road at about 8.25am on Saturday (5 May) having been to post a letter at a letterbox 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.
“One of the possible witnesses who woman wearing a black top and bottoms and wearing sun glasses who was walking along Tidy Street just moments before the incident.
“The other two are a woman in a grey and white top and purple trousers who was walking a dog on the pavement and a man with long brown hair who was wearing a rucksack who was walking in the road in Tidy Street.
“They were walking behind the victim.
“A 24-year-old Brighton man is currently in custody having been detained on suspicion of attempted child abduction.”
Detective Inspector Lee Horner said: “We are really keen to trace these people who may have valuable information which could assist our investigation.
“If you are one of them or know them, please contact us immediately on 101 or online quoting Operation Overdown.”
