A school has issued a warning after a young boy was allegedly grabbed by a man in a parked car in Maidstone.

Maplesden Noakes confirmed one of its pupils was approached by a stranger as he walked home on Monday.

The 11-year-old said he was walking in Lower Boxley Road, near the town's prison, at about 4pm, when someone tried to grab hold of him and pull him into a vehicle.

The schoolboy managed to escape unharmed and reported the incident.

In a letter from the school, in Buckland Hill, it said: "We are writing to advise parents that one of our students was approached by a male stranger, who tried to grab a hold of him close to the prison on the way home from school.

"We would ask that you speak with your son or daughter and remind them of the need to be vigilant..." - Maplesden Noakes school

"Kent Police has been contacted and is investigating the matter. In the meantime we would ask that you speak with your son or daughter and remind them of the need to be vigilant.

"If your son or daughter is approached or has any concerns about people behaving suspiciously they should report it immediately to their parents, school teachers or anyone else they trust who can then report it to the police."

A Kent Police spokesman said: "Police are carrying out inquiries after an 11-year-old boy reported that he was accosted in Lower Boxley Road at approximately 4pm on Monday, March 3.

"The boy was unharmed, but police are investigating the incident and asking anyone with any information to make contact."

Witnesses or anyone with information is urged to phone police on 101.