POLICE are treating an incident in which a boy was grabbed on the shoulder in Thornbury as a potential assault.

The 11-year-old boy was on the pavement close to the Aldi store in Rock Street between 4.10pm and 4.30pm on Wednesday, January 21, when a man grabbed him.

Detective Constable Mark Wilkes said: “We want to trace the man to help us establish what happened. This man didn’t speak to the boy or try and do anything other than grab him on the shoulder. It’s being investigated as a potential assault.

“The neighbourhood team has been working with local schools to ensure appropriate advice has been given but we’re treating it as an isolated incident at this time.”

The man being sought is white, tall, of medium build and in his 40s or 50s. His hair was black, of medium length and curly or spiky.

He was wearing a light brown zip-up top and thought to be driving a black or dark coloured car.

Anyone who saw the incident or has information about it should contact the police on the 101 non-emergency line.