A 12-YEAR-OLD girl was offered a lift by a stranger in a ‘very frightening’ incident.

Police are appealing for information after a man offered a 12-year-old-girl a lift in his car in Darwen.

A police spokesman said the girl, who is from Darwen, was walking along Belgrave Road shortly before 1pm on Sunday when a man in a black car parked alongside her and asked if she would like a lift.The girl refused his offer and he then offered to walk with her, which she again refused the spokesman said.

The man is described as white, between 40 to 50 years old, bald and with a local accent.

The vehicle is described as a small black 5 door vehicle with the number ‘2’ within the registration.

A Lancashire police spokesman said officers are working to identify all lines of enquiry.
He said: "Our enquiries are currently on-going.
"The incident has been passed over to the local team who will be handling it.
"Officers are working to identify all lines of enquiry which includes local CCTV."

PC Aled Jones-Roberts from Blackburn Police said, following the incident, they have stepped up patrols in the area.

He said: “This was understandably a very frightening incident for the girl.
“I would like to reassure the public that whilst incidents of this type are rare, we have stepped up patrols in the area.
“I am determined to find this man and so I would urge anyone who may have seen him or seen anyone matching his description in the area this afternoon to get in touch.
“If you know who he is, please call us at your earliest opportunity.”
Anyone with information can call PC 1932 Aled Jones-Roberts on 07813 344548. 

Alternatively they can ring Lancashire Police on 101 quoting incident reference 748 of February 25.

Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
This comes after a 10-year-old was grabbed on her way to school earlier this month.

The child was on her way to school in Blackburn when she is alleged to have been grabbed by the wrist and had inappropriate remarks made against her.

She managed to break free and run away to school where she reported the incident to a member of staff.