Police have appealed for witnesses after a man attempted to abduct a 2-year-old girl in Basingstoke.

Amy Dix was approached on the way to Eastrop Park while walking with her 2-year-old daughter in a pushchair by a man in his 40s. He then attempted to take the girl out of the pushchair while talking to the woman

Posting on Facebook following the incident, Amy said that the man tried to pull her towards a bridge on Basing View Road, saying: “I had a horrible feeling he was going to push me over and take my girl.”

Police asked anyone with information to come forward and assist them with their investigation.

The incident occurred yesterday at around 4pm on February 4, when Amy was walking her daughter in a pushchair towards Eastrop Park.

On Basing View Road, a man approached them, who is described as being around 40-years-old and 5ft 6ins tall with a stocky build, with black hair and a thick beard and moustache. He was wearing a white mask, a royal blue puffa jacket, grey jeans, and white trainers.

He began talking to Amy before then attempting to take the girl out of the pushchair.

“A man had attempted to pull my daughter out of her pram,” said Amy. “First, touching her face and then he wrapped his arms around her trying to pull her out.”

She says he then tried to push her away from the pram to take it, but was unsuccessful.

“He tried to pull me towards the bridge there [on Basing View Road],” she said, “which I had a horrible feeling he was going to push me over and take my girl as we would of [sic] been completely out of view from the road.”

Fortunately, Amy was able to get her and her daughter to safety, adding that she never thought such “traumatic events” could happen to her daughter.

Police are now investigating the incident as an attempted child abduction, and are keen to speak with anyone who could have information.

Hampshire Constabulary said: “Were you in the area at the time, perhaps you saw or heard something? Do you recognise the man in this description?

“Anyone with information is asked to phone 101 with the reference 44210043340.

“Alternatively, you can phone Crimestoppers 100 per cent anonymously on 0800 555 111.”