Police are hunting for a man who attempted to grab an 11-year-old girl in St Heliers this morning.

The incident occurred between eight and 8:20am on St Heliers Bay Road after the man followed the young girl for 200 metres.

He has come up from behind and grabbed her but she managed to break free, run into her school and alert a teacher.

Detective Inspector Scott Beard said the little girl is uninjured but is understandably shaken by what has happened.

The man involved was described as having light brown skin, possibly in his 40's, brown/grey hair with a bald spot and an eyebrow piercing.

Detective Beard acknowledged the incident was disturbing for parents but he wanted to reassure the community they are doing everything possible to investigate.