KEY POINTS:
Police are appealing for information after a man tried to abduct an eight-year-old in Christchurch this morning.
The girl was walking to school along Hay Street in Linwood, at about 8.30am, when a man approached her, put his hand in her shirt and hit her in the back.
When she turned to face him, he grabbed her by the forearms, releasing her only when a member of the public intervened after hearing her call out.
The man then ran off down Linwood Avenue towards Eastgate shopping centre.
Police said the girl was not injured during the incident.
"She called out for help and did all the right things," Detective Nicola Reeves said.
"She did a really good job, as did the member of the public who helped her."
Police are calling for sightings of the man, who is described as a Caucasian aged 25 to 30, approximately 5ft 4 and of medium build.
At the time of the attack he was wearing a black beanie with white trim, a dark coloured long sleeved top and long dark coloured trousers.
Police would also like to speak to an Asian woman who was talking on a mobile phone in the area at the time and might have witnessed the attack.
Anyone with information should contact Detective Nicola Reeves at the Christchurch Central Police Station on (03) 363 7426 or Nicola.Reeves@police.govt.nz.
- NZHERALD STAFF
