POLICE have launched a manhunt after a six-year-old girl was abducted in Burnley.

The girl was taken from Nairne Street in Burnley by a man, thought to be in a large dark coloured car, at around 4pm on Thursday.

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Police believe she was dropped off at Whitefield Street in Hapton where she was found and returned home.

He is described as a bald white man with a tanned complexion. He is thought to be in his forties.

Detective Chief Inspector Joanne McHugh from East CID said: “This investigation is very much in its early stages and we are determined to find out exactly what has happened to this young child and to catch the man who has done this.

“We have a team of detectives who are on with various lines of enquiry and will be speaking to people in the area, as well as looking for possible CCTV footage and forensic evidence. We will also be speaking to the victim today.

“I would like to reassure the public that whilst incidents of this kind are rare, we have stepped up police patrols in the area.

“We have specially trained officers offering support to this young girl and her family at this time.

“I urge anyone who may have seen this vehicle, anything suspicious in the time leading up to the incident or indeed anyone with information about this incident to contact the police urgently.”

Anyone with any information can contact Lancashire Police on 101 quoting incident reference 0916 of Thursday (26 March 2015).