Schools have been put on high alert after a man attempted to abduct a child on her way to school.

The action comes after a girl on crutches, from the Stanway School, claimed she was walking along Winstree Road, in Stanway, when the attempted abduction took place.

A man allegedly pulled up in a car alongside her at about 8am and told her to get in.

The pupil refused and claims the man then tried to grab her before driving off towards Villa Road.

Schools throughout the area were immediately put on alert, with form tutors speaking to individual classes at Gilberd School.

The situation was exacerbated when rumours spread that a man had been seen hanging around Colchester County High School in a white van.

Although this has been unconfirmed by police, sixth form students at the school are believed to have had notes placed on their cars warning them to be alert.

The suspect was described as white, in his 40s, with dark hair and stubble. He wore a suit jacket and shirt but no tie.

He was driving a four-door, old, red estate-type car.

An Essex County Council spokesman said: "Essex County Council takes the safety of its students extremely seriously and, when incidents occur, always ensures that appropriate advice and warnings are issued to our schools."

  • Anyone with any information is asked to call Colchester police on 0300 3334444 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
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