PARENTS have been warned to be vigilant after a man tried to lure a 10-year-old girl into his car on.

The child was walking a short distance home after a private maths lesson, when a yellow estate car drew up alongside her on Woodley Lane, Romsey, around 4.20pm yesterday.

The girl did not know the man in the vehicle, who then asked her to get in the car.

When she refused, he slowly followed her in the car before taunting her as she struggled to open a gate. He drove off as she went through the gate.

The man is described as around 40 with white, short blond hair. He spoke with what the victim described as a 'funny voice' - possibly an accent.

According to police, the yellow car he was driving was clean on the outside but very messy inside. There was also a high visibility jacket on the passenger seat.

Approximate location of the incident

PC Bill Nye who is investigating the incident said: “This all happened within a very short distance of the girl's home and not surprisingly she was left very shaken and frightened by what happened, but took the right action by refusing to get in the car and getting away from the driver.

“I would like to hear from anyone who saw the car or the incident or thinks they know who the driver is. "I’d also like the driver himself to come forward and explain his actions.

“I would ask parents and those looking after children to be extra vigilant around school pick up times in the area at the moment and to report any suspicious behaviour immediately.”

Anyone with information is asked to call PC Nye at Romsey Police Station on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.