UPDATE: Headteacher urges parents to 'be vigilant' following alleged abduction attempt

More details have emerged about the alleged attempted abduction of a school boy in St Albans yesterday afternoon.

The Wheatfields School pupil was approached by a man, who was on foot, who claimed he was there to collect the boy on his parents’ behalf.

The boy did not go with the man and returned to the school and the man walked away. The man did not say anything further to the boy, did not attempt to grab or touch the boy and did not attempt to follow him.

The man is described as white, aged 40 to 50, with short black hair. He was wearing a blue t-shirt and black Nike shorts. He didn’t have a local accent.

Neil Langford, Detective Inspector, said: "We are taking this incident very seriously and are working to establish exactly what has happened. We are looking at all lines of inquiry, including whether this could be a case of mistaken identity.

"We would like to speak to the man urgently to establish why he was at the school. If anyone believes they know the identity of this man or if anyone believes they were the man, please contact me straight away. Equally, if anyone saw anyone anything suspicious around the time of the incident at or near the school please contact St Albans Local Crime Unit.

"As a precautionary measure we have increased our police patrols in the area and urge anyone who sees anyone acting suspiciously near a school to contact police straight away. I would also ask that parents take the opportunity to remind their children about what to do should they be approached by a stranger."

Anyone with information is asked to contact St Albans Local Crime Unit via Hertfordshire Constabulary’s non-emergency number 101. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.