Police are hunting a man who took a two-year-old girl by the hand and tried to walk off with her in a park in Ipswich.

The child’s mother challenged the man and the girl was safely returned to her unharmed in Holywells Park, Suffolk Constabulary said.

The incident, described by the force as an “accosting”, happened at around 12.30pm to 12.45pm on Tuesday (October 3).

Asked if the incident was being treated as a potential abduction attempt, a force spokesman said: “We remain open-minded as to what the motive was.

“Based on the current information we have it’s being treated as accosting rather than anything more serious at this stage.”

The man is described as white, in his early to mid-30s with curly brown hair.

He spoke with a foreign accent and wore a beanie hat, faded jeans and a dark-coloured hooded top. He was carrying a black rucksack.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident to come forward. Call 101, quoting crime number 64781/17.