A 13-year-old boy was dragged by his school tie for several metres along a road by a car full of youths.

The boy was on his way home from Owton Manor Technical College in Hartlepool at around 3.30pm on Thursday, March 24 when he crossed the road between Collier Street and St Patrick's Church.

As he did so, a small red car with five males inside drove past, and one of them leaned out of the near side rear window and grabbed the boy by his tie.

The boy was dragged along by the car for approximately ten seconds, before another unknown school child spotted him and managed to release him by hanging onto him.

The youngster suffered no visible injuries but was said to be extremely upset and a police spokesman said: "The incident could have resulted in serious injury to the schoolboy."

Anybody with any information is asked to contact PC Diane Haysack at Cleveland Police on 01642 326326.