DETECTIVES hunting a man who allegedly grabbed a 10-year-old girl as she walked along a canal towpath have released an e-fit of the suspect.

Police said the schoolgirl was walking along the Clayton-le-Moors section of the Leeds Liverpool Canal, close Hare and Hounds Pub and All Saints Primary School, when she was approached from behind by a stranger.

The man allegedly ran his fingers through her hair, touched her thigh and pulled at her bag before he was disturbed by a dog walker.

Police have now released an e-fit in a bid to trace the man they believe grabbed the schoolgirl.

Detective Inspector Mark Gillibrand said: “We would like to speak to anyone who may have seen a man acting suspiciously in the area around the time of the incident.

“Similarly, if you recognise the man in the e-fit, please make contact with us.”

He is described as as white but very tanned, aged between 18 and 20, over 6ft tall with short cropped dark hair, full unkempt short facial hair and a pierced nose. He was wearing a red hooded top, white trainers, sunglasses and a gold ring on one of his hands.

Speaking after the attack the girl’s mum said: “When I got on the bus and checked my phone I had a missed call from her and a text saying ‘a man put his body against me sexually’ and another saying ‘Mummy I’m scared’.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting incident reference 1003 of October 2nd.