Police are reassuring parents over the safety of their children, a week after a man tried to abduct a girl walking to school.

The nine-year-old was steps away from her front door, and a few feet behind her mother, when she was snatched by a man in St James’s Church yard, in St James’s Avenue, Hampton Hill.

Richmond detectives confirmed no other allegations of abduction have been reported and said it is the only investigation of its type in the borough.

Police said the man was wearing a grey hooded top with white string, grey jogging bottoms, white trainers and a grey plastic watch.

He approached the schoolgirl from behind, picked her up around her waist and carried her towards Park Road.

She managed to escape from the man’s clutches without injury after she kicked him in the shin twice, causing him to cry out and release her.

Extra police patrols and a CCTV van have been stationed outside schools in the area over the past week and parents are being urged to remind children how to stay safe.

Chief Superintendent Clive Chalk, Borough Commander for Richmond police, said: “I understand that the community will be concerned about this recent incident and I want to reassure parents and carers that we are treating this extremely seriously.

“Officers are working hard to identify the suspect wanted in connection with this attempted abduction and enquiries into this incident continue.”

Anyone with any information should call officers from Richmond on 020 8247 7187 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. In an emergency dial 999.