POLICE are hunting a man after a number of children in Hampshire have been approached by a stranger in a car during the last two months.

Parents and schools in Eastleigh have be warned to be on the lookout for an older man driving a dark green or silver car, while urging them to remind their children about stranger danger.

Extra police patrols have been set up in the area in a bid to catch the man and reassure residents, while officers are scouring CCTV footage.

A 76-year-old man from the Eastleigh area has been arrested in connection with the investigation but he has been bailed as police continue their enquiries.

The incidents took place between June 3 and July 11, where children are believed to have been approached by a man they did not know in a car.

None of the children have been harmed in any of the incidents, but police are keen to speak to this man.

The man is thought to look in his 50s or 60s, with white/grey hair, and on each occasion he was driving a Mercedes/Skoda type vehicle that was either dark green or silver.

Police have confirmed that they are taking each incident seriously and are appealing for anyone who spots a vehicle driven by a male fitting that description to pass on the vehicle registration details to police so that they can investigate further.

Letters home to parents add: “We are aware that there are many vehicles and persons fitting this description, and because of this we ask that you do not do anything else other than pass details to on police.”

Eastleigh’s Safer Neighbourhood Team is also reminding parents and children about personal safety and asking schools to deliver “keep safe”

assemblies for students.

Youngsters are being urged to report any incident of being approached by a stranger to an adult as soon as possible, and not to walk home from school on their own.

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: “Hampshire Constabulary can confirman ongoing investigation into a series of reports of suspicious incidents in Eastleigh.A 76-year-old man from Eastleigh has been arrested in connection with these reports and has been bailed pending further enquiries.”

Anyone with information should contact DS Sarah Dring at Eastleigh CID on 101.