Schools issue alert after girl is approached by stranger

The notice – which originated at Grange Primary School and has been passed to other local primary schools – says: "On Tuesday 28 April just after 4pm a ... girl wearing her school uniform was approached outside a takeaway chicken shop on Tower Bridge Road SE1 (close to Barclays Bank) by a black male in his 20s."

"He is described as about 5'7" tall with cornrow on the back of his head. He was wearing a white coat.

"The man asked the child's name and where she lived and asked if he could meet her again the following day."

Local schools including St James's have urged parents to be extra vigilant and report any unusual activity to police.

[NB story edited 12.30pm 30 April]