Police are appealing for information to identify a man who approached a teenage girl in suspicious circumstances.

The 15-year-old was walking by herself through the children's play area in Buckland Park off Washington Road in Portsmouth between 11.35am and 11.45am on Wednesday, July 2, 2014.

Hampshire Constabulary Detective Inspector Jeff Huggett said: "A man sitting on a bench with a bicycle approached the girl and took hold of a hand. He let go moments later and cycled away towards North End.

"Although there was physical contact between the man and the girl, the 15-year-old was not injured.

"We'd like to thank the teenager and family members for her courage and co-operation as detectives seek to establish more details.

"The man has been described as black, wearing a lime green hooded jogging top.

"We are keen to speak with a woman walking with a small brown dog who was in the park at the time of the incident."

This woman, other witnesses and anyone else with information are asked to contact CID at Fratton Police Station by phoning 101.

Mini-com users can phone 18001 101. Information can be given anonymously by phoning the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

This investigation is not being linked to a report of a nine-year-old boy being approached by a man in Locksway Road in Southsea on Wednesday, July 2, 2014. These are being treated as separate unconnected incidents.