DETECTIVES are continuing to search for a man wanted in connection with an attempted abduction in a Blackburn park.

Police issued a picture of 27-year-old Zakaria Elharak (above) on Monday afternoon, three days after a man grabbed a 12-year-old by the neck from behind in Corporation Park and attempted to take him away.

The incident happened at 8.30am on Friday and police said the boy managed to get free and run away, alerting a member of the public.

The man was challenged by the member of the public and then ran off out of the park in the direction of Preston New Road.

Elharak, who also goes by the name Zackaria El-Haouari, has links to Blackburn and Toxteth in Liverpool. He is described as being 5ft 4in – 5ft 6in tall, of medium build. He has a circular scar on the right side of his face and black hair.

A police spokesman said yesterday: “Investigations are ongoing to locate Zakaria Elharak.

“No arrest has been made at this stage.”

If you have any information that could help, call police on 101 quoting log number 271 of 6 September.