Man tried to abduct 6yo schoolgirl

Police believe a possible abduction was averted this afternoon after a man tried to whisk away a six-year-old girl from the toilet block of her Anglican primary school.

Police media Sgt Greg Lambert said police believed the man picked up the girl in the toilet block and intended to take her from the school grounds. But the girl's screams prompted the man to put her down and flee.

Sgt Lambert said the incident happened just before 2pm this afternoon at Swan Valley Anglican Community School on Swanleigh Parade, Averley, near Ellenbrook.

The girl, who is safe with her family, is now being interviewed by specialist child protection officers in an attempt to get a description of the man.