A RED-head could hold the key to the identity of a man being sought by Police following the attempted abduction of a nine-year-old girl.

Police are appealing to the woman to come forward and help them in their search for the tall, black attacker who struck in Westleigh.

"She holds the key to catching this man. It is vital she contacts us," said a Leigh CID spokesman after the attack in the Abbey Lane area.

Saturday's incident involved a brave nine-year-old who sank her teeth into the hand of a man who tried to abduct her in broad daylight as she walked home from a local off licence.

The youngster, who was shocked but unhurt, said: "I walked past the car and then someone grabbed me from behind. I screamed and he put his hand over my mouth."

She bit the man's hand but he continued to hold on. She then he forced his hand off her mouth and screamed again.

"A lady with red hair came running towards us and pulled the man off and pushed him to the floor. I thanked the lady and ran home," she explained.

The attacker is described as tall and black. He was carrying a camera, wore blue jeans and a green sweatshirt and escaped in what was possibly a silver-blue car.

The girl's relieved mum said: "She came home in a right state. She was crying and at first I thought she had got into a fight with another child.

"When she told me what had happened I rang the police. I can't believe this sort of thing can happen in broad daylight. If it had been dark I wouldn't have let her out."

She is appealing for the woman who helped her daughter to come forward so that she can thank her.

But concerned mother-of-three Hazel Mercer feels Police should have warned residents in the Abbey Lane area to be on their guard after Saturday afternoon's attempted abduction.

"I have three children aged five, six and 10. My little girl was out playing at the front. It could have been her. Supposing the man had returned, she was playing out at the front.

"We didn't know anything had happened until tea-time Monday when we read about it in the paper.

"I think the Police should have been in touch with people either by knocking on doors or dropping a leaflet through the letter box. Doing nothing is not good enough."

Supt. David Edge, head of Leigh Police, replied:"The practicality of doing this would be very difficult.

"At the time the incident happened several officers did house to house inquiries. We had no reason whatsoever to suspect this incident would be repeated."

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