PARENTS are being warned to be on their guard for strangers approaching their children after a man attempted to grab two girls as they walked home from school in Wallasey.

Teachers at Weatherhead High School have urged pupils to ensure they are not alone when walking home from school after a man was seen trying to get young children to get into his van in two separate incidents.

Merseyside Police is appealing for information following the incidents, the first of which took place on Tuesday, close to the school.

A 12-year-old girl was walking along Breck Road at about 3.40pm when she noticed a white van pull up alongside her.

A man got out of the van, approached the girl and spoke to her in a foreign language.

He then tried to grab the girl’s jacket but she ran away and told her parents who later called the police.

In a second incident on Wednesday, a 10-year-old girl was walking along Poulton Road at around 4pm when a white van stopped near to her.

Again, a man is said to have got out of the van, walked towards her and tried to grab her jacket before she ran away.

Neither girl was hurt but both have been left very upset.

A full investigation into both incidents is underway.

The offender is describes as male, mixed race and in his late 30s.

Neighbourhood Inspector Pete Kolokotroni said: "I would like to reassure the community that we take reports of this nature very seriously.

“Patrols in the area have been stepped up and officers are reviewing CCTV from the area in a bid to identify the offenders.

"At this stage of the investigation we believe there are two men involved – the driver of the white van and another man who has approached two girls. I would appeal to anyone with information about either incident to call police.”

A message on Weatherhead High School’s website also warns students to be on guard.

It says: “If any stranger does approach you on the way to or from school, please remove yourself from the situation as soon as possible or call the Police.

“Once you arrive home please tell your parent/carer and they should contact the police immediately.”

Staff at the school have requested that Police and Community Patrol officers be present at the end of the school day.

Anyone with any information should call Merseyside Police on the 101 number, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.