A NINE-YEAR-OLD boy was grabbed by the arm in the street by a stranger, police said.

The child was in Cooper Street, near Burnley Road, Bacup, when a man described as Asian and in his 30s grabbed the boy, who managed to pull himself free, and run away.

The man is believed to have been driving a white flatbed type vehicle with two yellow stripes on the bonnet.

DI Tim McDermott said: "We are still investigating the full circumstances of this report and at present, the motivation of the man is not known.

"We appreciate that this incident will be concerning to local residents and we are stepping up patrols in the vicinity.

"I would appeal to anyone who may have seen something in that area at that time, or who recognises the description of the vehicle to contact us as soon as possible on 101 quoting 944 of January 9."