AN 11-year-old girl managed to flee from a suspected child abductor who cruised alongside her in a van, police say.

The girl was wheeling her bicycle along Alan Drayton Way in Fair Oak when a man in a white transit-style van pulled up beside her before asking her questions.

Frightened, the girl managed to cycle away and saw the man drive off in the direction of Eastleigh.

A man from Eastleigh was later arrested on suspicion of attempted child abduction after a girl was approached by a van driver.

A 46-year-old is in custody as police question him about an incident in Fair Oak.

Details of the incident, sometime around 7pm and 7.15pm, Wednesday, July 17, have been released today as police appeal to the wider public for information.

DC Claire Reynolds from Eastleigh CID said: “We're investigating a potentially serious incident involving a young girl who was approached by a man on a busy road on Wednesday evening.

“I would like to hear from any witnesses who may have been stopped in traffic as a result of the van stopping on Alan Drayton Way or who may have spoken to or seen the girl visibly upset afterwards.

“We've not received any similar reports in the nearby area but the local Safer Neighbourhoods police teams are focusing their patrols as a result.

“I would urge parents to remain alert but not alarmed and report anything suspicious to us on 999 immediately.”

Anyone with information about the incident can contact DC Reynolds at Eastleigh CID on 101 or the anonymous Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.