POLICE are hunting a man who approached a nine-year-old. 

Officers say they are investigating whether the man attempted to impersonate a policeman during the incident. 

Yesterday (11/03) at around 3.45pm a nine-year-old girl was on a family walk along an unnamed road that joins Slanting Hill to Marlston Road in Hermitage.

She was walking around 50 to 100 metres behind her family when a small blue hatchback being driven by a man has passed the family and pulled up next to the girl.

The man then got out of the vehicle and spoke to the girl. He expressed concerns that the girl was not with her family and offered to take her back to them. He then identified himself as a police officer.

The father of the family saw this and called to his daughter to come back before moving towards her and the car. The driver then got back in his car and drove off at a normal speed.

The vehicle was a small hatchback, believed to be a Mazda in baby blue.

Investigating Officer, Det Sgt Richard Vint, based at Reading, said: “We are keeping an open mind in relation to this incident.

“We are appealing to the driver of the baby blue Mazda to come forward to assist us with our enquiries.

“We are also making enquiries internally and with other forces to trace the driver.

“We would also ask anyone with any information to contact us on 101 quoting reference URN 1116 11/3.

"Officers will be in the area to provide reassurance, if anyone has any concerns we would ask them to speak to one of our officers or call 101.”

If you do not want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers (opens new window) anonymously on 0800 555 111. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.