AN 11-YEAR-OLD girl was chased down the road by a man who she feared was trying to abduct her near Elthorne Park High School.

Parents and children are being urged to be on their guard following the incident in Woodstock Avenue last Thursday.

Police say the girl had seen the man earlier that day on the corner of Seward Road as she walked with a friend.

A police spokesman said: "At about 5.55pm, she was walking along Wood-stock Avenue when she saw the same man again. This time he got out of an orange van, stood on the pavement and shouted at her to wait.

"He then shouted that she should join him in his van and that she was pretty. The victim feared that she was going to be kidnapped so started to run away from the suspect and the van. The suspect then chased after her on foot, still shouting at her.

"The victim kept running and passed a member of the public. At this point, the suspect stopped chasing her."

The man is described as about 40 years old, 5ft 7in tall, skin tanned or dark, with long facial hair around his mouth and upper lip, short grey/white hair with bits of brown. He also has a lazy eye.

He spoke with an English accent and was wearing brown leather trousers.

The girl described the van as orange with a white or light-coloured roof and big bold writing on the side, with a large letter O.

Detective Sergeant Chris Denman is leading the investigation with the Serious and Violent Crime Unit at Southall.

He said: "This is a very good description. This man and his van stand out and someone will recognise him. This was a serious incident and we are working hard to catch this individual."

A school spokesperson said: "As soon as we were made aware of this incident, we told students to be alert and parents have been informed. We will continue to liaise with Southall police and follow any advice they have about student safety."

Anyone with information can contact police on 020 8246 1061.