Ottawa police are continuing their search for a man who allegedly tried to grab a young boy in the city's east end on Monday.

Police say an 11-year-old boy was riding along a bike path near Orleans Boulevard when a heavyset man with short grey hair allegedly tried to pull him off his bicycle.

The incident is the most recent of seven attempted abductions in the Capital since April.

Police say they suspect some of the cases which involve a red car and a man in his 20s could be related.

Despite the string of suspicious incidents, police say there is no need for the public to worry.

"It's the time of year when people are out active on pathways and wooded areas and people with bad intentions will resurface," Staff Sgt. John McGetrick of the Ottawa police told CTV Ottawa on Wednesday. "We get more (reports of) indecent acts this time of year."

Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at 613-233-TIPS.