A man attempted to kidnap a small child during a burglary at a house in Suffolk town.

Police are appealing for information and witnesses after the incident, which involved a young girl being led from her home, in Sudbury on Thursday, September 7.

The incident happened at about 8.15pm at an address in Hall Rise in the town. 

An unknown man is reported to have entered the property from the back door and encountered a young girl on her own in the kitchen.

He spoke to her before leading her out of the property and into the garden, where he then lifted her through an open window of a summer house.

The alarm was quickly raised by the family, who were upstairs at the time of the incident, and the man fled the scene. 

The girl was not physically harmed but she and her family are being supported by specially trained officers.

The suspect is described as a white man, with a skinny build, ginger hair and yellow teeth.

He is described as wearing dark clothing and distinctive white trainers with blue laces. He also wore a plain silver ring on one of his fingers.

Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Connick, of Suffolk police, said of the incident: "This is a serious but fortunately rare incident and detectives are continuing to investigate the full circumstances of the incident.

"Anybody with any information or recognises the man from the description given are asked to contact police.

"As the evenings are drawing in and the temperatures are still warm we are advising the public to consider the security of doors and windows when it gets dark."

Witnesses or anyone with any information, or who saw anything suspicious at the time is asked to contact West Suffolk CID, quoting crime reference number 37/52327/23.