Police are attempting to identify a man with a distinctive tattoo after he tried to grab a 12-year-old boy.

The incident occurred at around 8.10pm off Commercial Street on a path between Delph Road and Bridge Street in Great Harwood.

Officers said a man grabbed and pulled the boy by the arm who then managed to break free and run away.

DC 3958 Tom Wignall from Blackburn CID said: “We do not know why this man has grabbed the boy and so we need him or anyone who has information about the incident to come forward to help us with our inquiries.

“The boy is understandably shaken and while incidents of this type are rare, we are treating it seriously and have stepped up patrols in the area.”

The man is described as Asian, 5ft 8ins, in his thirties, slim to medium build with a white/grey beard and had a white flower tattoo, possibly a rose, with green stems and yellow thorns, on his right forearm.

He was wearing a black and white striped hoodie with a black arm and a white arm.

DC Wignall continued “If you know someone with this or a similar tattoo or clothing, please get in touch with us.”

Anyone with information can call DC 3958 Tom Wignall on 01254 353636 or if they fail to get an answer, they can ring 101 quoting incident reference 1321 of August 28th.

Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at Crimestoppers-uk.org.