A ten-year-old girl was grabbed by a stranger on her way home from school.

The attack happened as the girl walked through a park area behind Tamarisk Close, Bersted, Bognor.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "She was grabbed on the arm by a man who appeared from the trees.

"She managed to shake him off and run home, unhurt but shocked. The man ran off."

The man is described as being black or very tanned with short dark hair, possibly Asian in origin, with short dark hair, thick dark eyebrows and dark brown eyes.

He had a scar, possibly a tear-drop shaped tattoo, under one of his eyes.

PC Dan Bridger said: "This is an isolated and very unusual incident.

"Parents should not become unduly alarmed, and simply continue to ensure their children take common sense safety precautions when out and about, saying no and rejecting the advances of any strangers."

Police circulated details of the attack to schools to warn staff and children after the incident at 3.30pm on Tuesday.

They have put on extra patrols in the area, which are expected to continue this week.

Anyone who saw the man on Tuesday afternoon or can help identify him, is asked to contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070999 quoting Serial 1074 of November 17.