An unkown man has allegedly approached a seven-year-old girl and grabbed her by the arm in Croydon.

Police were called at around 9.40am on Wednesday, February 23 after the incident in Crowley Crescent had happened around an hour before.

The man was reported to have grabbed the girl by the arm before she ran away.

She was not physically harmed in the incident according to police.

An investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances including identifying any witnesses and analysing CCTV in the area.

Anyone with information about the incident or door cam footage that may have captured this incident is asked to call police on 101 or tweet MetCC, providing the reference 1906/23Feb.

A Met Police spokesperson said: "Police were called shortly after 09:40hrs on Wednesday, 23 February following a report that an unknown man had approached a seven-year-old girl as she walked along Crowley Crescent, Croydon.

"The incident was said to have happened around an hour earlier.

"The man was reported to have grabbed the girl by the arm before she ran away.

"She was not physically harmed in the incident.

"An investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances including identifying any witnesses and analysing CCTV in the area.

"Anyone with information about the incident or door cam footage that may have captured this incident is asked to call police on 101 or tweet MetCC, providing the reference 1906/23Feb.

"Alternatively, information can be provided to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111."