Detectives from Hackney are appealing for witnesses and information following the attempted abduction of two young victims in Stoke Newington.

At around 20:15hrs on Friday, 7 September, officers were alerted to an incident in Coronation Avenue, N16 in which the girls, aged nine and six, were grabbed by an unknown suspect.

At the time of the incident, around 1900hrs, the girls had been playing together. Both girls were led to a secluded area a short distance away. When the girls began to scream for help the suspect ran away.

Officers from Hackney CID are investigating. There has been no arrest at this stage.

Enquiries are ongoing to establish the details of what is believed at this point to have been an isolated incident. The investigation is being treated as an attempted abduction.

Hackney CID is leading the investigation, and officers have carried out door-to-door and CCTV enquiries. This work is ongoing.

The suspect is described as wearing all dark-coloured clothing, and a light-coloured facial covering/mask.If you have any information that may assist the investigation, please call Hackney CID on 0208 217 3739 or on 101 quoting CAD7307/07SEP. Information can be provided anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.