Parents warned following ‘attempted child abduction’

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A local school has urged parents to be “extra vigilant” after a man allegedly attempted to lure a 10-year-old girl into his car.

Police were called to Beckenham Lane, near Valley Primary School, on March 5 following reports that a bearded man in a blue car had attempted to entice the Year 6 pupil into his vehicle.

Chris Hollands, head of nearby St Mark’s Church of England Primary School, wrote in a letter to parents that they had been notified of the incident by Valley Primary.

The letter stated: “The child reported that a man driving a blue car pulled alongside them asking that they get into the car; the pupil refused. The driver continued asking the same thing, then parked the car and got out. The child arrived safely at school.

“The driver has been described as white, in his forties with brown hair and a beard. The matter has been reported to the police but we encourage all parents to be extra vigilant on their journey to and from school.

“If you see any suspicious activity in the vicinity of the school over the coming days, please do not hesitate to contact us.”

A Met Police spokesperson added: “Police were called at around 9.35am on Monday, March 5 following a report of the attempted abduction of a child in Bromley.

“It was reported that at around 9.25am a man in a car tried to persuade a 10-year-old girl into his car in Beckenham Lane. The girl was able to run away. Officers from the borough are investigating. There have been no arrests.”