Thirteen-year-old girl fought off attacker and escaped attempted kidnapping in New York

'I was screaming. Like, I was trying to defend myself,' teenager says

A 13-year-old girl fought off an attempted kidnapper just feet away from her home in New York.

The teenager, who has not been named, was caught on CCTV as she struggled with the man outside her front door on Long Island after he allegedly grabbed her from behind.

The unnamed girl told police officers she noticed the suspect following her for half a mile after she left school, police said.

"I was screaming. Like, I was trying to defend myself," she told PIX 11 new channel the following day. "He grabbed my neck ... He was trying to still cover my mouth."

Calling her "very brave", in a separate interview with ABC station WABC-TV, Detective Mike Bitsko said: "She fought off this individual. She fought off her attacker. She did exactly what she had to do ... I'm happy she's doing well."

After breaking free of the attacker, the surveillance footage shows her banging on her front door, before a man comes out and confronts the attacker.

Police arrested 24-year-old Jarrod James, less than 24-hours after Tuesday's attack. He faces multiple charges including child endangerment, assault and attempted kidnapping.

Officers said Mr James, who entered no plea in court, appeared to have no connection to the girl and the crime was random.

He is currently being held in Nassau County Correctional Center.