PLAYSCHEME staff have spoken of their shock after a 10-year-old was assaulted nearby in Blackbird Leys.

Thames Valley Police is on the hunt for a man with odd coloured eyes after the child was assaulted in Cuddesdon Way last Friday.

Blackbird Leys Adventure Playground (BLAP), which is just behind the street, said it was open last Friday but was unsure if one of their regular youngsters was the victim.

BLAP worker Kirsty Brooks said: "It's terrifying. My boy is nine and I won't allow him to go to the shops on his own.

"It's worrying for other children of that age around the estate. We haven't had the chance to talk to parents about it yet."

More than 20 youngsters visit BLAP after school each day, with most picked up by parents from 5pm, but a handful go home alone.

Secretary Sue Price said: "It could be one of our kids. We wouldn't have to make any changes to the site because we are very secure, but we would check on the kids going home."

Staff at the centre, which offers after-school playschemes and activities for children aged eight to 13, are planning to speak to parents about the incident this evening to see what can be done to make the children feel safer.

Manager Joey Phillips said: "School holidays are always a concern because kids go off ad-hoc. The problem happens everywhere; we have just got to be vigilant within our own area.

"Parents should know what's going on. They will be asking us to ring to check the child is here, and we would ask them to repay that by contacting us when they reach home."

Cuddesdon Way is a main artery within the estate, running alongside Blackbird Leys Park on one side and Orchard Meadow Primary School, Mabel Prichard Special School and the Leys Children's Centre on the other.

Headteachers at both schools said yesterday evening they had not yet been contacted by police.

One regular walker in Blackbird Leys Park said he had seen police in Cuddesdon Way on the Friday afternoon as he walked home from work.

The man, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "I was walking home at the time. I saw a lot of police and I think a police van drive past, but I don't remember any commotion.

"I haven't heard of people trying to abduct kids here before. It depends on who you are if you feel safe."

Another Blackbird Leys resident in Cuddesdon Way said: "I read about it. I'm not surprised. The park has always got things going on, whether we are notified or not.

"It's always been the same. I have lived here for nearly 27 years and we have incidents like this every now and again, but it's always been word of mouth. More things happen in the summer."

The force said the boy was walking in Cuddesdon Way on Friday when he was approached by a man between 5.10pm and 5.20pm.

The man grabbed the boy's wrist and said: "You're coming with me."

The boy managed to get away without being hurt and made his way home safely.

The man was described as white, between 35 and 40 years old, between 5ft 9 inches and 6ft tall and of slim build, with sort black hair and stubble.

One of his eyes was brown and the other was green and brown.

He was wearing a white t-shirt and dark blue jeans.

Officers want to speak to the driver or passengers of a vehicle which drove past during the incident as they may have information which could help with the investigation.

Thames Valley Police said it was initially investigating an attempted abduction but has now "reclassified" the case.

Spokeswoman Connie Primer said: "Following a review of the circumstances of the incident, this crime has been reclassified as a common assault rather than an attempted abduction. 

"We believe this to have been an isolated incident. It was understandably distressing for the child involved and we are continuing to investigate in order to establish the full circumstances. 

"Neighbourhood officers are continuing to patrol the area and make enquiries."

Anyone with information about the incident should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.