A MAN has been arrested and released on police bail following the attempted kidnapping of a teenage girl who was waiting for a bus in Oxford.

The 29 year-old from Oxford was arrested on Monday, the day after a 16-year-old girl reported being approached by a man as she was standing at a bus stop in St Clement’s Street.

He will have to answer police bail on Tuesday.

Police only revealed details about the incident on New Year’s Eve. They are still appealing for witnesses who may have seen a man repeatedly asking the teen to get inside his car on Sunday night. She refused, got on the number eight bus which travelled up London Road and got off opposite the junction with Gladstone Road at around 11.25pm.

She was then followed by the same man in his car who approached her and touched her shoulder, but she pushed him and ran away.

The girl was not hurt but left shaken after the incident. The man is described as wearing dark trousers and a dark hooded top.

Investigating officer Det Con Gurinder Sangha, of Oxford Force CID, said: “This sort of incident is rare but was frightening for the lone girl. If you saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area at the time please contact us. If you were standing at the bus stop and witnessed the incident please come forward.”

Anyone with information should call 101 and ask to speak Det Con Sangha or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.