POLICE have released a man arrested in relation to an incident in which a 12-year-old girl was allegedly grabbed near a Worcester high school.

No charges have been brought against the 32-year-old in connection to the incident that began in Merrimans Hill Road and continued to St George’s Lane North bridge.

Police say the 12-year-old was walking along the road with two friends, pupils of nearby Bishop Perowne CE College, when an unknown man pulled up next to them in his car at 5.30pm last Thursday. The friend managed to free her from his clutches and they fled, along with another friend – to a friend’s house.

A West Mercia Police spokesman said a 32-year-old man who was arrested after the incident has since been released under investigation, with no charges made.

“We remain open-minded as to the motive behind the incident,” the spokesman said.

“We’re considering further evidence in terms of CCTV and witnesses.”

A dedicated CID detective is investigating and police added it was being treated as an isolated incident at this stage, with no further reports of suspicious activity in the area since. Door-to-door inquires were also been carried out in the area over the weekend.

Writing about the incident on Worcester NewsFacebook page, Georgina Robinson said: “If anyone has any information please get in touch. Any witnesses from around the bridge area who remember seeing two girls around or a suspicious red car it would be great. I know there was a man at the time on his phone who noticed the girls and asked if they were ok so if we can find this man that would help a lot.

"It makes me so angry that someone thinks they can get away with this but thank god the girls are safe but shook up. Keep your kids safe the streets are so dangerous now.”