A troop of monkeys reportedly saved a schoolgirl by attacking a suspect who was planning to rape her.

The man was said to have lured the youngster away from her parents, intending to molest her in an abandoned house in Baghpur City, Uttar Pradesh state, India, on September 21.

CCTV footage shows the man in a green shirt leading the girl through a deserted alley. When they arrived in the empty house, he was said to have ripped the clothes off of her and was about to molest her when the primates descended on him.

The aggressive animals swarmed around him with their teeth bared while swiping their paws at him.

They reportedly chased him away which allowed the terrified schoolgirl to flee. She recounted her narrow escape to her parents who then filed a report with the police.

Baghpat circle officer Harish Bhadoria said: 'We've heard about the incident involving monkeys and are investigating the matter.

'Following the parents' complaint, a first incident report was registered under Indian Justice Code sections 74, assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty, 76, assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe, and the Pocso Act. More charges will be added if needed. We're trying to identify and arrest the accused.'

Speaking in the video, the girl's father told local media that she was playing on the streets when the suspect dragged her away. The parents were unaware she had been taken until she ran back to them in tears and recounted the ordeal.

He said: 'The man could be seen in nearby CCTV footage walking on a narrow lane with my daughter. He is yet to be identified though. He also threatened my child that he would kill me.. My daughter would have been dead by now if the monkeys had not intervened.'