A "SUSPICIOUS" incident is being investigated by police after a 10-year-old girl was approached by a stranger.

The young girl was walking at 8.40am on Wednesday, March 13, when a man walked up to her and grabbed her by the arm.

The girl reported that she able to free herself from his grip before the stranger made off from the scene.

The incident took place on Brougham Terrace, in Hartlepool.

Cleveland Police are now investigating the report and have released a description of the man.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: "The man is described as being of slim build, around 5ft 9ins tall and he was wearing a black hooded top which was pulled up over his head, dark blue trainers and black leather gloves."

  • Anyone who may know the identity of the man or anyone who may have witnessed a man matching the description in the area at the time of incident is asked to contact Cleveland Police's Detective Sergeant Alistair Snowdon via non-emergency number 101, quoting event number 042218.
  • Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800-555111 or crimestoppers-uk.org