Police continue to seek information after a schoolgirl was grabbed by man in the Auckland suburb of St Heliers

The girl was grabbed outside St Helier's School on St Helier's Bay Rd yesterday. Photo / Google Street View

Police are again calling for people to come forward with information a day after a schoolgirl told them she was grabbed by a man outside her Auckland school.

The 11-year-old was outside St Heliers School when the incident occurred on St Heliers Bay Rd between 8am and 8.20am yesterday, and she managed to break free and run to safety.

In a press release this afternoon, police said they had spoken to a number of people in the wider area and were following "positive lines of enquiry".

But they still wanted to hear from anyone who was in the wider area near St Heliers School between 7.30am and 9am yesterday and witnessed any suspicious activity.

The man who approached the girl is described as having light brown skin, with brown/grey hair with a bald patch on top. He is possibly in his 40s, tall and of solid build.

The Auckland City Crime Squad can be contacted on (09) 302 6832. Alternatively, information can be given anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police officers have also have maintained a strong presence in the St Heliers area, in an attempt to reassure the community.

The victim was being supported by police and was doing well given the circumstances, according to the press release.

Meanwhile, the Women's Self Defence Network Wāhine Toa has congratulated the girl for her courage in escaping the man.

Network spokeswoman Alison Broad said the girl had done everything right.

"Her clear and courageous response to this concerning incident is impressive.

"From our understanding of what happened, she did everything right. She broke free from the man, ran to a safe place and told a trusted adult. It appears she was also able to give a clear description of the offender."

They had taught thousands of girls how to keep safe from violence and abuse through their Girls' Self Defence Project, Broad said.

The network planned to extend its work in the Auckland area and will be training new self defence teachers this year, she said.

More information is available here