Crime reporter(wp/es):
A 12-year-old girl was targeted by a stranger who tried to get her into his car in a suspected kidnap attempt as she walked to school in south London.
Police are investigating after the man attempted to coax the girl into his car near to the school in Croydon on Tuesday morning.
The girl ran away and the man drove away from the scene in Smitham Downs Road, Coulsdon near to Woodcote High School, police said.
The incident, which has sparked fear among parents, took place at about 8.10am during the school-run.
A post shared on Facebook said the man, who is described as aged in his 40s or 50s, tried to persuade the girl to get in his car by saying her mother had asked him to pick her up.
A spokeswoman for the school told the Croydon Advertiser: “We were made aware of this issue late morning yesterday and informed the student's parents immediately, together with the school's police liaison officer who was directly involved and formally reported the incident to Croydon Police.
"Both the school and the police liaison officer have been in constant contact with the parent of the student involved.
"Subsequently, we sent a message out informing people to be vigilant. The text of the message read: 'Please don't approach any stranger in a vehicle in the local area. The police have had some reports of people acting suspiciously recently.'
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said no arrests have been made and enquiries are continuing.
A 12-year-old girl was targeted by a stranger who tried to get her into his car in a suspected kidnap attempt as she walked to school in south London.
Police are investigating after the man attempted to coax the girl into his car near to the school in Croydon on Tuesday morning.
The girl ran away and the man drove away from the scene in Smitham Downs Road, Coulsdon near to Woodcote High School, police said.
The incident, which has sparked fear among parents, took place at about 8.10am during the school-run.
A post shared on Facebook said the man, who is described as aged in his 40s or 50s, tried to persuade the girl to get in his car by saying her mother had asked him to pick her up.
A spokeswoman for the school told the Croydon Advertiser: “We were made aware of this issue late morning yesterday and informed the student's parents immediately, together with the school's police liaison officer who was directly involved and formally reported the incident to Croydon Police.
"Both the school and the police liaison officer have been in constant contact with the parent of the student involved.
"Subsequently, we sent a message out informing people to be vigilant. The text of the message read: 'Please don't approach any stranger in a vehicle in the local area. The police have had some reports of people acting suspiciously recently.'
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said no arrests have been made and enquiries are continuing.
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