On 9 November a 12-year-old boy was at the junction of Montgomery Avenue and South Kinson Drive at around 5.30pm when a man got out of a car and approached him.

The man did not say anything and reportedly attempted to grab the boy and put his arms on his shoulders, before the boy was able to run away from the scene.

The man was dressed in black with white lettering on his left leg and also had a balaclava, baseball cap and black rubber gloves on.

The car he got out off is described as dark blue or black with yellow headlights and a roof rack.

Dorset Police are keen to speak to anyone who witnessed this very suspicious incident in Bournemouth at around 5.30pm on Thursday 9 November.

Police constable Bethany Pharoah, of Bournemouth police, said: “We are carrying out an investigation to establish the full circumstances of this incident and I would like to hear from anyone who was in the area around the relevant time and witnessed any suspicious activity.

“I would also urge any motorists who were driving in the vicinity, or residents with home CCTV or doorbell cameras, to please check their footage for anything that might assist our enquiries.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55230177371. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.