THIS is the man police would like to speak to in connection with a possible child abduction attempt.

Officers have put together an e-fit of the man who put his arm around a nine-year-old boy innocently playing in the street in Clifton Moor, York.

DC Ian Murray, of York CID, said police were anxious to trace and identify the man if only to rule out any sinister motive.

The man told young Scott Walker he was lost, and asked him how to get to a nearby lake. When Scott's mum, Allison Dodd, confronted him seconds later, he claimed he did not understand English and walked off.

Allison decided to speak to The Press on Thursday to alert others to the risk of child abduction. She described it as "every parent's worst nightmare".

Police later interviewed Scott about the incident. DC Murray told The Press: "Two children were playing in the street close to their homes in Lindley Road.

"They were approached by the man who asked directions. He held a map, and during conversation with the nine-year-old boy the man put his arm around him. Police are anxious to trace and identify that man.

"It is stressed that the man may have an explanation for his conduct, and that this was an innocent encounter."

The incident happened in Lindley Road at about 4pm on Tuesday, May 23.

It comes as The Press continues to campaign for a change in the law over child kidnap.

We want to see closed a legal loophole that means those convicted of child abduction cannot be put on the Sex Offenders' Register.

Allison herself has now backed our Change It! campaign.

The man police would like to speak to is described as being about 30 years old, with a dark complexion, medium build, 5ft 8ins tall and with short, black hair. He was wearing a blue and grey jacket and dark trousers, carrying a rucksack and holding a map.

Anyone who recognises the description, or has any information about the incident, should phone DC Murray at York CID on 0845 6060247.