A HEADTEACHER has warned pupils to remain vigilant after a man allegedly attempted to coerce youngsters into his car.

Police officers ramped up patrols in Villa Road, Stanway, after a concerned parent raised the alarm shortly before 10am on Tuesday.

It is reported the incident saw a man approach pupils and offer them chocolate and sweets outside of Stanway Primary School.

Essex Police has stated its inquiries are ongoing but no arrests have been made as of yet.

The school’s headteacher Rebecca Loader has now issued a warning to parents and pupils following the incident.

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She said: “It has been reported to the school that an adult male has approached children in the area offering them sweets and chocolate.

“We have made the police and parents aware and have warned all our pupils of how they should behave if they are approached in this way.

“We would advise anyone seeing any suspicious behaviour to contact the police immediately.”

With schools now on red alert, neighbouring Stanway Fiveways Primary School, in Winstree Road, confirmed none of its pupils had been approached on Tuesday morning.

A worried parent said the brazen nature of the incident was concerning as it “took place right under my nose”.

She believes the car in question was a dark navy convertible, although this has not been confirmed by the police.

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An Essex Police spokesman said: “We received a report of a man acting suspiciously in Villa Road, Stanway, shortly before 10am on Tuesday 14 June.

“No arrests have been made and our inquiries are ongoing.

“We need anyone who saw anything or has any dash cam or doorbell footage to get in contact.”

If you have any information which could help the police’s investigation, you can submit a report online at www.essex.police.uk.

You can also use the live chat button to speak to an online operator between 7am and 11am, and should quote incident 310 of June 14.

You can also call the police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.