A woman was grabbed by a man attempting to be her friend.

Police were contacted at 6:30pm on Wednesday by a 24 year old woman who had been approached by a man who had tried to exchange phone numbers with her.

The man had taken hold of the woman’s arm on Washington Road in Haywards Heath before walking off when one of the woman’s friends arrived.

Contrary to reports on social media, there was no attempt by the man to pull the woman into his car and there is no additional information to suggest that the man has approached anyone else.

The man is described as black, in his 40s, and dressed all in black.

Detective Sergeant Glenn Willcocks said that although the victim had been shaken up by the incident, she was not hurt.

He also said: “There’s nothing to suggest that the man had anything other than an innocent motive but we would like to speak to him anyway.

“If you recognise the description of him please contact us.”

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting serial 1382 of 16/07 or email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk.