North: Schoolgirl escapes abduction bid

The attempted abduction of a 12-year-old girl in Co Down is today being investigated by police.

The child was walking along the Newcastle Road in Castlewellan when she was grabbed by a man.

A Police Service spokeswoman said during the incident, on Wednesday afternoon, the man approached the girl and grabbed her by the arm and tried to pull her towards him.

The girl struggled with the assailant, managed to break free and run off, she added.

The man has been described as being approximately 6ft tall, with short black hair. He was wearing dark jeans, brown boots and a black hooded top with a front pocket.

Anyone who was in the area at around 4.30pm and witnessed the attempted abduction, or who saw a man meeting the description in the area, is asked to contact the PSNI in Newcastle.