Police have released a third image of a man they are searching for in connection with the abduction of a six-year-old girl, as parents are urged to be “extra vigilant”.

The child, who police previously said was seven, was allegedly taken by a man into a wooded area near a disused railway track in Droylsden, Greater Manchester, at around 4pm on Wednesday.

She was safely reunited with her family a short time later.

Tameside Police Detective Superintendent Richard Hunt said a man “obviously grabbed a child” and it is believed that he “sexually assaulted her”.

“A child was playing in this area and a chap who was hanging around has taken a child and thankfully within a few minutes we’ve got her back,” he added.

“Parents need to consider the circumstances of what I have mentioned, and I would suggest they need to be extra vigilant with their children whilst we progress this as quickly as possible.”

Officers believe the girl was taken on Warne Avenue before she was led down a path towards a football field and allegedly assaulted.

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“The offender appears to have been hanging around the area prior to the offence and afterwards he made his way through the paths and streets of the Snipe Estate, possibly in the direction of Openshaw,” Det Supt Hunt added.

Below are the three images of a man being looked for by police – it is not clear if he is the suspected perpetrator.

The first two images were released on Wednesday and were taken within 30 minutes of the incident taking place.

While the search for the man continues, a large police presence remains in the area.

He has been described as white, aged in his 20s, wearing dark trousers, a dark jacket, and dark shoes or trainers, possibly with a white rim around the sole.

Residents have been urged to check CCTV, dashcam video and doorbell footage for any clips that might assist the investigation.

A 35-year-old man – not the man pictured – was arrested on Wednesday, but has since been released.

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 9262.

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