NOTE: Please be aware this story is from 2010.

A POLICE hunt is today under way after a man tried to snatched a nine-year-old girl walking with her mum from a Hampshire Street.

Detectives believe the attacker may have been on drugs and warned the public to be vigilant.

The man grabbed the girl by the wrist and around the waist and tried to pick her up but her 41-year-old mother managed to fight him off.

He is also thought to be behind another incident at about the same time when he went up to a 30-year-old woman with a baby, made indecent remarks and then left.

The attempted abduction took place in Newgate Lane and the second incident at nearby Tukes Avenue, in the Bridgemary area of Gosport.

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The man is white, aged about 30 and 5ft 7ins tall with short bleached blonde hair and brown eyes.

He was wearing a tan leather jacket tied around the waist, blue jeans and carrying a green satchel bag, with the strap across the chest.

The incident happened on Thursday shortly after 5pm.

Detective Constable Chris Davies said: "The similar description and proximity of these incidents lead us to believe this may have been the same man.

"Witnesses stated that the man may well have been on drugs, due to his behaviour and demeanour.

"We are very keen to track down this man and if anyone saw someone fitting his description in the area at the time, they should get in contact as soon as possible.

"This kind of incident is thankfully very rare, but we would always advise members of the public to be alert at all times and watchful when out in public."

Anyone with information should contact Fareham CID on 101.