POLICE are hunting a would-be child snatcher who has attempted to grab a number of children in the last few weeks.

Cleveland Police are investigating a spate of attempted abductions in Middlesbrough and Redcar.

In the first incident, at about 7pm on Thursday, May 4, a man driving a red Ford Escort approached three seven-year-old girls on Broadway West near the Fairfield pub in Dormanstown, and tried to entice them into his car.

The man was described as having brown hair which was balding and a round face.

At about 3.30pm on Wednesday this week a man driving a red hatchback pulled up beside a 12-year-old boy as he walked home from school along Kirkleatham Street, near Redcar library.

He asked the boy if he wanted a lift. The youngster refused and ran into a nearby office to raise the alarm.

The man is described as aged 40-50, of Asian appearance, with short black hair.

In another incident, about 1pm on Friday, May 5, a man approached an 11-year-old boy in a playing field near Newlands Secondary School, in Saltersgill Avenue, Middlesbrough. He grabbed the boy, who escaped.

The man is described as being in his early 30s, slim, with a shaven head, tanned complexion and a piercing in his left eyebrow.

Later that day, a man in a red Ford Escort was seen parked in Westerdale Avenue, Dormanstown, near a group of children. He drove off when challenged by a member of the public. He is described as aged 30-40, tanned, with short dark hair which was receding and a piercing in his eyebrow.

Detective Sergeant Jon Green, of Redcar CID, said: "Although we are treating each incident in isolation at the moment, we are keeping an open mind as to whether they are connected.

"I would ask parents to remind their children of the dangers of talking to strangers."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Redcar CID on 01642 302626 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.