PARENTS are being warned to be alert after a stranger tried to coax a girl into a car near a Southampton school.

A letter informing parents of the incident has been sent home by Bitterne Park Primary school in Southampton following the incident.

In it, executive headteacher Gerida Montague described how the girl was approached after home time and encouraged to get into a car.

The incident happened at River Walk near Riverside Park in the Bitterne Park area of the city.

As a result she said the police had been informed and were investigating the incident.

Mrs Montague adds: “Please be extra vigilant in keeping our children safe.”

This afternoon Hampshire police have confirmed the incident had been reported to them, but pointed out the victim was a 17-year-old college student and not a "young girl" as described in the letter to parents.

It is understood there have been no other reported incidents of a similar nature around schools in the city.

A Hampshire police spokesman said that officers had spoken to the teenager about the incident that happened when a man pulled up beside her in a car as she made her way home from college between 5pm and 6pm on March 9.

The spokesman added: "The man offered the girl a lift which worried her so she ran off and didn't see the man again.

"Officers spoke to the teenager to establish the full circumstances of the incident and no offences were disclosed.

"We take all reports of this nature very seriously and although on this occasion no crime had been committed, the girl did exactly the right thing in contacting the police to report something which had alarmed her and caused her to be suspicious."

Anyone with any concerns can speak to a member of their local Neighbourhood Policing Team by calling 101.