A YOUNG girl was injured when a suspected dognapper attempted to steal her dog in broad daylight.

The girl suffered a wrist injury after the attempted theft of her dog near Madresfield Road, Malvern on Sunday.

The incident took place inside Great Malvern Cemetery between 1.25pm and 1.38pm.

A nine-year-old girl had been walking her dog when she was approached by an unknown man who attempted to forcibly remove the dog from her control.

The victim received minor injuries to her wrist, but managed to flee the scene with her dog along Madresfield Road in the direction of Pickersleigh Road.

It is believed the male got into a small silver 'square shaped' car possibly an X or Y registration with blacked out side windows, silver hub caps and black door handles in company with a woman passenger.

The car exited the cemetery on to Madresfield Road in the direction of Pickersleigh Road.

The offender is described as a white man age 50-60 years old, tall and thin build. He had very short cropped grey hair balding down the centre and a very short grey beard on the underside of the chin only .

He was wearing black rectangular or square framed glasses, a red, green and cream vertically striped roll neck jumper, black trousers and black trainers. He spoke with a foreign accent.

The passenger is described as a white woman aged in her 60s, short, medium to large build, with white fluffy/curly hair, wearing a white short sleeved floral top with a net effect, black trousers, red socks and purple trainers.

Detective Constable Karl High of West Mercia Police said: "We're extremely concerned about this incident which has been traumatic for the victim and her family "

"We want to reassure residents that we are continuing to conduct patrols in the area. We are very keen to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time who may have witnessed the incident or seen the people involved."

The victim and her family are being supported by specialist officers.

If you have any information that may help police with their enquiries please call 101 and quote reference 410s of 17 September 2017. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org