A man has attempted to snatch a nine-year-old girl from a Paddington stairwell, police have said.

Officers were called to Brewers Court, in Bishops Bridge Road, around 6.50pm on Tuesday, August 6, to reports of male having attempted to grab a 9-year-old girl from a stairwell balcony outside her home.

The incident had happened around two hours earlier and the child had managed to pull herself away and get inside her address.

The suspect then fled the scene.

Police are now appealing for help in tracing the man, who is described as white, aged somewhere in his 20s or 30s, and approximately 5ft 7ins tall with a medium build. He had straight black hair and slight stubble for a beard.

He was wearing a black T-Shirt and had a tattoo on one his arms.

The suspect did not speak to the child during the incident, and the girl was unharmed.

Detective Sergeant Grant Lander, the officer in the case, said: “We are appealing for anyone that was in Brewers Court at around the time of the incident, about 5pm on 6 August that may have seen the incident, or heard the incident or even saw a man matching the suspect’s description fleeing the building.

“We are also keen to hear from anyone in the Brewers Court or Bishops Bridge Road, area that may have seen anyone matching the description of the suspect, acting suspiciously before 5pm or fleeing the area after 5pm.

“Any information anyone has may be of use to us, no matter how small they think it is, so please do call us.”

Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call 020 7321 7518, 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.