Police are this evening investigating an incident in which a young girl was followed by an unidentified male after jumping off a bus after school yesterday.

The 12-year-old Waimataitai School girl was dropped off by bus on Morgan's Road in Timaru yesterday afternoon.

Police said on her way home she was followed by an unknown male.

She was given a ride by a woman who noticed the man was following her.

The man is described as a light-coloured Maori between 25 and 35 years old, of medium build, who was wearing a dark green and brown jersey, and dark jeans, and has short facial hair in a beard.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Timaru police.