Police have contacted schools and businesses and have stepped-up patrols as the hunt for an attempted child abductor goes on.

The terrifying incident took place at 11.45am, on October 20, at the junction of Clandon Close and Briarwood Road, in Stoneleigh, when the girl was approached by a man driving a silver car.

The man got out of the vehicle and attempted to pull the girl towards the car, but she pushed him away and ran from the area. The man then got back into the car and drove away.

A police spokesman said there have been no arrests but they are following up a number of lines of enquiry.

The incident has shocked the community with 1,400 people reading the story on this website overnight.

Some Stoneleigh residents praised police for their response while others said they had no idea it had happened.

Brian Radford, from B Radford and Son butchers in Stoneleigh Broadway, said there was a big police presence at the weekend.

He said: "They have come in the shops and they have given us a warning. We see a majority of people in this area so we can pass on the message."

Mr Radford said parents were also passing the warning on their children.

He said: "It makes them a bit apprehensive about going out themselves.

"When you are out of sight you do worry. You don’t expect it in these sorts of areas.

"Stoneleigh Councillor Pamela Brady only found out about it today. She said: "I was absolutely horrified. People have been found dead after things like this."

Coun Brady said children walking home from school as darker evenings draw in needed to be made aware of the dangers.

She said: "If children are old enough to walk home they need to be aware."

A local mother who did not want to be named said the school had passed on a message from the Metropolitan Police.

She said: "I feel they are making parents aware in the area. It does give cause for concern."

She said sadly there is always going to be someone out there who try to approach and abduct children.

She said: "It’s just a matter of parents being more vigilant."

Kim Bell, from New Image hairdressers on the Broadway, said she had not heard of the attempted abduction until being contacted by the Epsom Guardian.

Ms Bell said: "I did notice a big police presence on Saturday but I just assumed it was because of the football (being shown at the pub)."

The man police are hunting is white, in his late 20s or early 30s, around 5ft 11in, with curly brown hair with specks of grey. He has an athletic build, and his top row of teeth were damaged and several were missing.

The car he was driving is described as a silver saloon with tinted windows which had a number of dents in the bodywork.

Detective Inspector Oana King said: "This was a serious incident where a young girl was approached whilst walking home alone and we are investigating this matter as a priority.

"Fortunately, the girl was not injured during the incident but this was obviously a hugely upsetting experience for her and we are doing everything possible to identify the man involved and the vehicle he was driving.

"Surrey Police officers are carrying out additional high visibility patrols in Stoneleigh and I would urge anyone who may have seen or heard anything out of the ordinary on Saturday morning to contact Surrey Police as a matter of urgency."

Anyone with information should call the police on 101, quoting reference EP/12/4133, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.