PARENTS have been urged to stay calm following the attempted abduction of a ten-year-old boy outside a Southampton school.

Police investigating the incident outside Shirley Junior School in Bellemoor Road, Southampton, say families in the area should "remain alert but not alarmed".

Officers have released an e-fit image of a man they want to speak to in connection with the crime.

As reported in the Daily Echo, the boy had just left the school and was on his way to a nearby park to meet his mum when a man ran across the road and grabbed hold of him.

His father said the boy managed to break free by kicking and punching his assailant.

"He was walking to a nearby park to meet his mum when a complete stranger ran across the road and grabbed him.

"He picked him up and started running - but my lad kicked and punched his way free after a few metres.

"I was very angry when I heard what happened. I wanted to drive around looking for the man but the police were already doing that. They responded very quickly.

"My son's OK but was a bit shaken up."

A police spokesman said: "A man approached the child and put his arms around him before putting him down and running off in the direction of Hill Lane.

"Officers were deployed to the area immediately to carry out a search for the man.

"We know that reports like this cause the community a lot of concern. We are working to ensure communities feel safe and reassured. Southampton West Neighbourhood Policing team have been carrying out extra patrols in the area while we carry out enquiries to ascertain the exact circumstances of what happened. Remain alert, but not alarmed.

The man police want to speak to is described as black, with a beard. He was weating a black T-shirt and blue skinny jeans.

Anyone with information about this incident or can identify this man should call 101 quoting reference 44180159354.