POLICE are anxious to trace a man who tried to drag an eight-year-old boy from a Finchley park at the weekend.

Detectives are appealing for witnesses to the possible attempted abduction at about 4.30pm on Saturday, in Avenue Park, East End Road.

Officers said the boy had been playing with friends when they wandered onto the playing fields, out of the direct sight of the supervising adults.

The victim was left alone and was approached by the stranger.

A statement from Barnet police said the man grabbed the boy's arm and dragged him about 30ft before he was able to escape.

The suspect, described as white, between 30 and 40, with average build, did not speak to the boy at any point. The eight-year-old was unharmed, but frightened by the incident, police said.

The man is thought to have been clean-shaven, wearing a short denim-like jacket, with a hooded red top underneath, and dark trousers.

He is thought to have run off down The Avenue.

Barnet police would like to speak to anyone who saw this man or witnessed the incident. They would also like to hear from anyone who has a CCTV system which was recording on that day near this area.

Anyone with information, should contact Detective Constable Chris Banks at Barnet CID on 0208 733 4595, email Christopher.Banks@met.pnn.police.uk, or phone Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0300 123 1212, quoting reference 2413984/10