PRIMARY school pupils have been given emergency safety advice after an eight-year-old girl was the victim of an attempted snatch in Darwen.

A specially trained police officer visited three schools near the Monton Road area after the girl was dragged into a back alley and physically assaulted.

The attack happened in broad daylight when the girl was walking to her friend's house after buying some cakes at a shop in Blackburn Road.

She was grabbed from behind and the man put his hand around her mouth before dragging her into the alley and slapping her across the face when she screamed for help.

Police visited St Cuthbert's CE in St Albans Road, Avondale County in Durham Road and St Edward's RC in Blackburn Road to outline safety issues to the children.

And a special assembly was held yesterday at one of the schools to drive home the 'stranger danger' message.

But police were keen to avoid an "alarmist" reaction.

St Cuthbert's head- teacher Janet Grimes plans to send out precautionary letters to parents. She said: "We will make sure all our pupils are clear on the safety messages of not talking to strangers.

"They must be very careful at the moment in light of the recent events. We will be telling them to be very aware of what is going on around them."

Youth intervention officer PC John Chapman said: "Our advice to the children is to keep their eyes open, avoid alleys and dark places and stay with a friend whenever possible. It is also important that parents know the whereabouts of their children.

"But it is important that we are not alarmist.

"Children of that age are easily frightened. This victim has done everything right by screaming, shouting and running away."

Police are hunting a man in his twenties in connection with the incident and an accomplice who was lying in wait in a parked car.

St Edward's head- teacher Alison Grundy, reiterated the "stranger danger" message. "This is a very worrying incident quite literally on our doorstep so it is very important children are aware of the dangers," she said. "Youngsters and parents need to be extra vigilant.

"It seem the assault had been very well planned rather than a spur of the moment attack."

Police are not linking the incident with any similar crimes in the area and are keen not to speculate over the motivation behind the attempted snatch.

Det Sgt Paul Elms of Darwen CID said: "This was a very worrying attack on a young girl and we are keen for any witnesses to come forward."

The man was white with orange skin, possibly a sun tan, with brown or black hair. He was 5ft 7in tall and wearing a green top, blue jeans and white Nike trainers.

Anyone with information about the incident on Friday at 4.30pm should call police on 01254 353842.