CCTV released as cops hunt Melbourne schoolgirl’s would-be kidnapper

A manhunt is underway in Melbourne after an 11-year-old girl had to hide in a bush to escape an attempted abduction while she was walking home from school.

The schoolgirl was walking on Landscape Drive in Doncaster East at 2.40pm on March 28 when an unknown man driving a grey Audi Q3 SUV pulled over near her and allegedly demanded she get in his car.

The girl ran away and hid in nearby bushes while the car circled back and stopped for a short time before fleeing south on Taurus Rd.

She then ran from the scene and sought help from a man who was with his daughter a few houses down.

CCTV footage has emerged showing the man helping the girl.

“She was shivering and shaking and I haven’t seen someone that terrified and petrified like that,” the man told 7NEWS.

He said she kept apologising for asking him to escort her home.

“I said: ‘I’m so proud of you, getting help is a really good skill’,” he said.

The man called the girl’s parents who, he said, were distraught and thanked him for helping their daughter.

On Monday, police appealed for the public’s help to locate the man, which Detective Senior Constable Brooke Miller described as terrifying.

“It’s horrible. A little girl should feel safe to walk home from school,” she said.

“She’s a smart little girl; she had the smarts to run and hide. Her actions on the day, we’re really, really proud of her.”

“I’m hoping today by giving a description of this male and the car that someone in the area may have dashcam, or any witnesses may be able to help us identify the male or the car,” Senior Constable Miller said.

A computer-generated image of the man has been released and anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.