AN 11-YEAR-OLD girl was assaulted as she walked to school in Blandford, police said.

It happened at 8.40am when a man grabbed the girl along Higher Shaftesbury Road.

The victim, from Blandford, was able to run away and received only minor scratches.

Detective Inspector Stewart Dipple, of Western CID, said: “This is an extremely unusual incident which has caused a great deal of distress to the young girl and her family.

“The man’s exact motives are not known at this time.

“I am appealing for anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity along Higher Shaftesbury Road this morning to contact me as soon as possible.

“It may be that a number of passing motorists may have information that will help me with this investigation.”

Currently the offender is only described as being a white man.

Witnesses should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101, quoting incident number 3:69.