A MAN with a distinctive tattoo is being hunted by police after he grabbed a 12-year-old boy walking along a path.

The man grabbed and pulled the boy by the arm at around 8.10pm on Friday.

The boy was walking along the path off Commercial Street, in Great Harwood, which connects Delph Road and Bridge Street. The boy managed to break free and ran off.

DC Tom Wignall, of Blackburn CID, said the incident left the boy shaken — and police have since stepped up patrols in the area.

Mr Wignall said: “We do not know why this man grabbed the boy so we need him or anyone who has information about the incident to come forward to help us with our inquiries.

“The boy is understandably shaken. While incidents of this type are rare, we are treating it seriously and have stepped up patrols in the area.”

The man is described as Asian, 5ft 8in tall, in his 30s, of slim to medium build, with a white/grey beard, and with a white flower tattoo — possibly a rose — with green stems and yellow thorns on his right forearm.

He was wearing a black and white striped hoodie with a black arm and a white arm. Mr Wignall said: “If you know someone with this or a similar tattoo or clothing, please get in touch with us.”

Anyone with information can call DC 3958 Tom Wignall on 01254 353636 or, if they fail to get an answer, ring 101 quoting incident reference 1321 of August 28.

Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org.