A warning has been sent to thousands of parents after pupils were approached by a man.

Letters have been sent home by Rainham School for Girls and neighbouring Howard School in Rainham, following two incidents involving pupils from nearby Leigh Academy in Rainham.

The schools say a man in a red car approached the children in the Station Road area of the town in an intimidating manner.

Leigh Academy pupils have reported two separate incidents with a driver matching the same description.

A man drove alongside a pupil in Station Road at around 3.15pm on Thursday and shouted at them out of the car window.

They believe the same man approached and shouted at Leigh Academy pupils at Rainham Recreational Ground in Station Road as they made their way to school.

The Howard School asked pupils to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious to police.

Rainham School for Girls issued a similar warning, asking pupils to walk in small groups if they can and stay to well-lit paths. It also advised children to walk back to school or go to the nearest shop if they are worried.

The letter added: "We would like to reassure the parents that the police have been notified of the incidents and are investigating."

A spokesman for the Leigh Academies Trust said it had received two reports from students of a man with the same description acting in an intimidating fashion around the Station Road area of Rainham.

In response to this, students have been briefed on how to remain safe in public and what to do if approached by this man or anyone else.

The school, which opened last month, said the incidents have been reported to local authorities and shared with other schools in the area so they can safeguard their students too.

A police spokesman said: "Kent Police has received reports of school boys being approached by an unknown motorist in Rainham on the afternoon of Thursday 7 October 2021.

"On both occasions, the man is reported to have driven close to them before shouting verbal abuse.

"Officers are liaising with the boys’ school to remind pupils of general safety advice and are conducting ongoing enquiries to establish the full circumstances.

"Anyone who has information that can be of assistance to enquiries is asked to call Kent Police on 01634 792209 quoting 08-0258.

"You can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or complete the online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org"

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