Police are seeking witnesses to an attempted abduction of a child outside a pre-school.

A two-year-old girl was being dropped off at a Hamilton pre-school at around 5.50pm yesterday, when as her father was getting his other child out of the car, a man walking past called the girl over, grabbed her arm, and attempted to walk off with her.

The girl's father shouted at the man, who walked off along Peachgrove Road towards Te Aroha Street.

The man is described as Caucasian, aged around 50, of medium build and around 177cm tall.

He was wearing a blue suit jacket and possibly beige-coloured pants and described as tidily dressed but had possibly been sleeping rough.

Hamilton police are appealing for anyone with information on what happened, or who may have seen anything, to contact them on (07) 858 6200. Information can also be shared anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.