Police have dismissed reports on social media that a man tried to kidnap a boy on his way to school.

Yesterday hundreds of concerned parents shared a Facebook post describing an attempted abduction in Maidstone Road, Rochester.

The post said at 8.45am on Wednesday morning a 10-year-old boy was approached by a masked man in white Audi van.

It said the boy managed to escape. The post also described the attacker as having a scar on his cheek and a mole on his chin.

Police received a report of the incident two hours after it was alleged to have happened.

Spokesman James Walker said: "Police were called at 10.16am on Wednesday, June 12 to an allegation that a man, who was travelling in a van, attempted to approach a boy in Canon Close, Rochester."

Canon Close leads to Maidstone Road.

Mr Walker said: "Officers attended the area and conducted multiple inquiries to ascertain the full circumstances and it was established the incident did not take place.

"Officers have spoken with the boy, and his parents, and provided suitable words of advice."

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