A would-be child-snatcher grabbed a 10-year-old girl and tried to pull her off a bus in King’s Cross.

It happened at 9.30pm on November 5. The girl was on the 390 bus, heading towards Archway, when the woman approached her.

“While on the bus, the child was approached by a woman who grabbed her arm and tried to pull her from her seat,” said police.

“The friends intervened and the woman got off the bus in Randall’s Road.

“Once off the bus, the woman stood looking through the window, beckoning to the child.”

Today detectives released a photo showing a woman they believe may have information about the attempted abduction.

She is white and in her late 20s or early 30s, with shoulder length dark hair. In the picture, she has a “tribal” symbol around her right eye – either a tattoo or face paint.

Det Const Matt Poore from the Met’s transport police team said: “This incident has left the 10-year-old child, her family and friends very distressed. We are keen to speak to the woman in this photograph. Do you recognise her? If so get in touch.

“We would also encourage any witnesses who were on the 390 bus at that time to come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.