Police last night carried out road checks in a small community where a six-year-old girl was abducted from her bath and sexually assaulted a week ago.

The child was dumped naked and shivering in a back lane a few streets away about 15 minutes later in Willington Quay, North Tyneside.

A team of officers was out in force, looking for anyone who may have seen the paedophile drive off with the girl, or saw them during their brief circular journey around the area before he abandoned her.

They spoke to pedestrians and motorists hoping to find a vital clue that will lead them to the abductor, who has been described as extremely dangerous.

Before last night's exercise Detective Chief Inspector Jim Napier said: "It disturbs me that a man could walk into somebody's house and lift a child from her bath and carry out an attack such as he did."

He remained confident he would catch her attacker, having had an "excellent" response from the public for help.

Det Chief Insp Napier, speaking at North Shields police station a few minutes' away from the house where the girl was snatched, said he had received more than 100 calls to the incident room.

"Some lines of inquiry have taken us elsewhere in the country, in response to people phoning in," he said.

Officers were also looking to trace known sex offenders locally and in the wider area, and this would take some time.

More locally, his team of officers had made 200 house-to-house calls in the Willington Quay area where she was abandoned in freezing conditions.

The detective said a number of people reported seeing a vehicle in the area on the evening of December 27. But he confirmed that no one had come forward to say they had seen the man, who was described by the girl as wearing dark clothes and dark gloves. He may also have had sideburns or was unshaven.

Det Chief Insp Napier said he remained convinced the girl's account was credible and feasible.

He said: "I know there has been some doubt and concerns about the allegation. I will just repeat what I have gone on record to say - I am happy the allegation the girl has made is both credible and feasible."

He hoped local people would not be unduly alarmed, and said extra uniformed officers were patrolling.

He felt certain the paedophile would be caught eventually.

He also urged the offender to give himself up, saying: "Come and find us before we come and find you."

Anyone with information is asked to call 0191-214 6555, extension 63806.