A man who reportedly tried to get a 14-year-old girl into his car drove off when she 'threatened to knock on somebody's door'.
Merseyside Police confirmed they are investigating a report of a driver's suspicious behaviour in Belle Vale on Saturday, May 29.
At around 8.40pm, a man driving a dark coloured Toyota is alleged to have approached a 14-year-old girl on Shrewton Road.
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He is said to have repeatedly offered to give the girl a lift home and was "very persistent".
Posting on Facebook, a friend of the girl's family said: "He asked her if she wanted a lift home and was very persistent with her until she went into someone's garden as if she was gunna [sic] knock on the door and he sped off".
People responding to the post praised the girl's "quick thinking" and action to find safety.
The man has been described as white, around 50-years-old, with light brown hair and spoke with a local accent. He is also said to have been wearing a black t-shirt.
Police said the man didn't get out of the car and the girl was unharmed, but an investigation has been launched.
A spokesperson for the force said: "We are appealing for information after a report of suspicious behaviour in Belle Vale on Saturday May 29.
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"At around 8.40pm, it is reported that a man driving a dark coloured Toyota approached a 14-year old girl on Shrewton Road and offered her a lift home.
"When the girl refused, he is said to have offered again before driving away.
"The man did not get out of the car or make any physical contact with the girl, who was unharmed.
"The driver is described as white, around 50 years old, with light brown hair and a local accent. He is said to have been wearing a black t-shirt.
"CCTV enquiries into the incident are ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to come forward to police."
Local Policing Chief Inspector Phil Mullally said: “We are taking this incident seriously and carrying out an investigation to find out who was involved.
"The girl who was approached did the right thing in getting in touch with the police, and we would advise anyone faced with a similar situation to do exactly that.
“While no-one was physically harmed during the incident, the nature of the man’s behaviour has understandably left a young girl feeling apprehensive, and we would urge anyone with any information or dashcam footage from the Shrewton Road area on Saturday to contact police or Crimestoppers with any information.
“Our Community officers will continue to visit schools and work with teachers to give appropriate stranger danger advice to pupils, and it is encouraging to see that the message is being taken on board.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police's social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook 'Merseyside Police CC.'
You can also call 101, quoting incident reference 1101 of 29/05 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.
