Police fearing the re-emergence of a paedophile presence in the Harold area are pleading for information from witnesses who saw a man offer two 10-year-old boys money in return for sex acts in an alleyway.

The two boys were playing in the alley in Alverstoke Road, Harold Hill at noon on Sunday, November 14 when they received the proposition.

But the boys refused the man's bribes and his request for them to perform sex acts.

Police are concerned the man might operate systematically and may have had the chance to strike again, especially as the incident was left unreported for a fortnight.

The suspect was described as a 30-year-old white male of thin build and 6ft 2in in height with short black hair.

At the time, he was wearing a light green bomber style jacket and jeans.

The Metropolitan Police has previously identified the Harold Hill area as a target one for paedophiles and a child protection video was shown at King's Wood School, Settle Road earlier this year.

A number of attempted abductions from schools around Harold prompted the showing of the video.

Although police say the numbers of incidents have tailed off this year, they will now be keeping a close watch for repeats of the latest one.

Sgt Kevin Barrett said: "We have a suspicion the man in this incident could attempt this sort of thing again and he may be operating systematically.

"What he did was a nasty, awful thing and was obviously planned.

''But we will be trying our best to nip it in the bud and would ask for witnesses to please contact us."

Witnesses should ring 01708 779241 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

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