A MAN tried to snatch a bicycle from a 12-year-old boy by grabbing him by his clothing in Christchurch.

At around 7.30pm on Thursday, May 30, the boy was in Whitehayes Road in Burton when the man approached him.

He grabbed the boy by his upper clothing before attempting to steal his bike.

However, the boy alerted his father, who was nearby, and the man made off from the scene.

The man is described as white, aged in his 30s and around five feet nine inches tall with short, shaved hair and a blond beard.

At the time of the incident, he was wearing a black jacket with red writing on the back, black baggy trousers and black trainers.

Police constable Paul Humber, of Dorset Police, said: “We are carrying out enquiries into this incident and I am keen to hear from any witnesses or anyone with information regarding the offender.

“I would also urge residents or motorists who were in the vicinity to please review any home CCTV, doorbell camera or dashcam footage around the relevant timeframe to see if they have captured anything that might assist our investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55240081093. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.