SCHOOLCHILDREN have been warned to be on their guard after a man attempted to abduct a schoolboy in Colchester.

The 11-year-old boy was on his way to St Benedict’s Catholic College when the man wearing a balaclava approached him and tried to pull him into a black van which had blacked out windows.

The boy was walking alone on a footpath which runs alongside Magazine Farm Way and Bluebottle Grove, a popular cut through for pupils from three secondary schools and for dog walkers.

He managed to run away and told teachers what had happened.

The school raised the alarm and told the police.

Police issued an appeal for information in a bid to trace the attacker.

A spokesman said: “Specially trained police officers are working with the boy, his family and the school to ascertain what happened and will be taking further detailed statements from him over the next few days.”

The attempted abduction happened at 8.40am on Tuesday.

The suspect is white with pale skin. He is tall, of medium build and described as middle-aged.

He was wearing a black woolly hat with his mouth covered.

A warning was issued to some parents via social media, following a report from the school.

It stated: “Although we do not wish to alarm you, we feel it is important you are aware before school this morning a man driving a black van and wearing a balaclava and black hat attempted to abduct a pupil from St Benedict’s Catholic College in Colchester.

“Fortunately, the pupil managed to defend himself and run to the college, arriving there safely and he was unharmed.”

Several schools have now sent out warnings to parents and pupils.

A statement from St Benedict's Catholic College read: "We immediately contacted Essex Police and the young person’s parents who attended the college.

“We fully investigated the incident and supported the police’s further investigation.

“We continue to provide support for the young person involved and have communicated to students what action they should take should anything happen which risks their safety.”

Philip Morant School told staff and students immediately and have now sent out messages to parents.

The school is one of a number close together whose pupils all use the paths where the attempted abduction took place.

The incident is not currently being linked with an incident involving a ten-year-old in Sudbury or the serial sexual predator believed to be responsible for up to 20 incidents in Clacton and Colchester during the past four years.

Anybody who may have noticed any suspicious activity in the area is asked to contact Colchester CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.