A child snatcher grabbed the hand of a boy aged six and hauled him away from his mother.
The woman, who was busy with her other children at a bus stop, was unaware of what had happened but the boy managed to struggle free and fell to the pavement.
Crying hysterically, he ran back to his mother. Police said he was deeply distressed.
Detective Constable Tracey Dixon said: "This was a very upsetting incident for the boy and we urgently need to speak to witnesses."
The abduction happened at the junction of Lewes Road and Harrington Road, Brighton, at 3.10pm last Thursday but police only released details last night.
The man is in his mid 20s, of medium build, 5ft 7in, with strawberry-blond hair. He wore a beige short-sleeve shirt and khaki shorts.
Witnesses should contact DC Dixon at the Brighton and Hove police Child Protection Team on 0845 6070 999.
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