A 16-year-old girl was grabbed and threatened by a man as she walked to school in Oxford.

At about 8.45am yesterday, the girl was walking through an alley off Nowell Road, Rose Hill, when a man grabbed her arm and threatened her.

When she resisted, he grabbed at her arm again, before the girl ran away. It is not believed the man pursued her.

The victim was physically unharmed, but left shaken by the incident Detective Inspector Kev Elkins said: “This is a highly unusual incident and we are appealing for anyone in the area at that time to come forward.

“We would particularly like to hear from two women who were in a field near to Nowell Road at the time, who we believe could be important witnesses.

“Although the victim was unhurt, she was shaken up by the incident. There was no obvious motive and it is important we catch the person who did this.”

The man is described as white, in his thirties, around 5ft 4in tall, of stocky build and with broad shoulders. He had short brown thinning hair which was spiked and sticking up on top and did not appear to be gelled He wore a black leather jacket with a zip down the front and a collar.

Anyone with information should contact Det Insp Elkins through the Thames Valley Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505.

Alternatively, if you have information, but don’t want to give your name, contact the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.