A man has attempted to abduct a young girl who was riding her bike to school in the city's north-east, police said.
Investigators have been told a 9-year-old girl was riding her bike to school along Skeeter Drive in Mernda about 8.30am on Wednesday when she was confronted by a man.
The man grabbed hold of the handlebars of the girl’s bike before convincing her to get off her bicycle and walk alongside him.
It's understood the man threatened the girl and told her to come with him.
The girl managed to run away from the man and he is then believed to have dropped the bike on the footpath and fled the scene on foot.
Mernda Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team detectives earlier interviewed a man in relation to the incident and said he is still assisting police with their enquiries.
But police are also keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident.
The man is described as Caucasian in appearance and aged in his 50s with brown hair.
He was wearing grey pants, possibly tracksuit pants, and black runners.
Anyone with information, who witnessed the incident or who may have noticed any suspicious behaviour in the area is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au