POLICE in Southend are appealing for witnesses after a man tried to rob a school girl as she walked to a bus stop.

The incident happened at around 6.50am on Tuesday, April 22. The 12-year-old, who lives in Southend, was walking along Sackville Road to get to the bus stop to catch her school bus. When she got to Glenmore Street, at the corner of Beaufort Street; a man came up behind her and tried to grab her school bag.

Pc Alana Ford, who is investigating the attempted robbery, said: "The victim struggled with him and he scratched her in the face. He didn’t get her bag and ran off towards Surbiton Road. She has described him as white and in his mid 20s. He was wearing a black hooded top with the hood up.”

The girl was left with slight scratches on her face following the incident.

Anybody with any information about what happened or anyone who may have witnessed the incident is asked to contact Pc Ford at Southend CID on Essex Police 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.