Hamilton Police are investigating the attempted abduction of a nine year old girl.

Officers were called to Aberdeen Drive about 3:40 yesterday afternoon after reports a man had tried to entice the young girl into his ute as she walked home from school.

Detective Paul Van der Zee says a woman with blonde hair parked behind the ute intervened when she saw the girl crying, so the man walked away.

He says they want to speak to the woman and anyone who may be able to help identify the man or his vehicle which had a blue cab and front with red sides on its tray.

The man's been described as having a pierced eyebrow and lip, and also had a large hole in one of his ears.