A SCHOOLGIRL bravely fought off three men as they tried to abduct her in Northolt.

The 13-year-old suffered the terrifying ordeal as she walked home along Merton Avenue, just one hour before a similar attack in Hanwell.

The attempted abductions happened on Wednesday, November 15, although have only just come to light and police do not believe they are linked.

In the first attack, the young teenager was walking northbound along the west footpath of Merton Avenue at about 4pm when a silver car pulled up next to her.

One of the passengers in the four-door hatchback told her to get into car but she refused.

He then got out and grabbed hold of the girl's right arm, trying to drag her into the back seat.

The brave teenager kicked the suspect in the leg and managed to get away.

The men then drove off northbound and were last seen turning right into Keble Close.

The man who got out of the car was white with short, black, spiky hair and aged about 30. He spoke with an eastern European accent and was wearing a plain black hoodie and blue jeans.

The other men were also white and also possibly eastern European.

Ealing Police spokesman Chris Mullally said: "This was a very frightening ordeal for the victim who escaped without injury."We are treating this incident very seriously and are anxious to trace the offender. We must stress that this type of incident is very rare in Ealing Borough."

One hour later, however, a 30-year-old woman was almost abducted in the same way.

She was returning home from a grocery shop in Greenford Avenue, Hanwell, when she noticed a dark blue or black BMW drive slowly past her as she turned into Bordars Road.

The car pulled up right on the junction with Cuckoo Avenue and she saw the driver lean across the passenger seat and open the car door.

Thinking the driver was lost and merely asking directions, she approached the car.

As she bent down the driver leaned across and grabbed her by the arm saying: "Just get in the car."

The woman dropped her shopping and managed to prise herself away from her attacker.

Officers have conducted house-to-house inquiries in the area but have had no results and CCTV footage has also failed to provide any leads.

The man was black, aged about 35 and of heavy build with a fat face, brown eyes, a short black afro haircut and a gold front tooth.

He had a London accent and was wearing a dark sweatshirt and dark jogging bottoms.

Police said the two incidents were linked "only in the method of the crime" but had "completely different" people involved.

Anyone with information should contact Ealing Borough Police on 020 8810 1212, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.