A 16-YEAR-OLD girl said she is now ‘terrified’ of leaving her house alone after a man tried to take her from a Southampton street.

The teenager was walking up St James Road at 2.20pm on Friday when a black Skoda Octavia, came past and the man at the wheel stared at her as she stopped at a crossing outside the park.

The girl crossed the road and walked up Bellemoor Road but the car turned around, and began to follow her before pulling up in front of her.

The teenager then crossed the road again, pretending to use her phone, and the car and stopped next to her. The driver said: “Can I ask you a question?” before telling her to get in the car, the teenager told the Echo.

Fortunately, a boy she knew was on the other side of the road and the girl was able to join him and the car then drove off towards Hill Lane.

The girl’s college contacted the police, who are now investigating matter.

The incident has terrified the girl, who does not want to be named.

She said: “I was terrified. I was very shaken up afterwards, I couldn’t really get my words out.

“Now I feel worried about going out by myself. The fact it happened in the middle of the day makes it worse, because I am often out by myself in the daytime, and it could happen to anyone; there are three schools and a college there.”

She said that by speaking out, it might help to prevent another incident.

Officers are investigating the incident, and the girl’s father has also appealed for anyone in the area who has CCTV, to come forward.

A statement from Hampshire Constabulary said: “We were called at 3.07pm by Taunton College to report a suspicious incident.

“The man is described as in his 30s or 40s, white and bald. The car drove off towards Hill Lane.

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting 44170438256."