POLICE are no longer treating an incident involving a nine-year-old boy and a stranger as suspicious after the man involved voluntarily contacted officers.

Patrols were stepped up close to a Park Primary on Monday after the schoolboy was approached by a man standing next to a car at around 8.40am.

The man said he had broken down and asked for help but the boy ran off to his school and told his parents and teachers about the incident.

Merseyside Police was called at around 9.10am by the boy's concerned mum.

Enquiries were carried out in the area and patrols have been stepped up to reassure the local community.

Acting neighbourhood inspector for Wallasey, Stuart McIver, said: "The boy did exactly the right thing by telling his parents and teachers about what had happened.

"We believe there may have been two men who appeared to be trying to mend a car on Mill Lane. Both are believed to have grey hair and the one who spoke to the boy was wearing black shoes, blue jeans and a black shirt.”

Merseyside Police today confirmed that a man voluntarily contacted officers on Monday evening to say he was the man who spoke to the boy.

Officers have spoken to the man and carried out relevant inquiries and there are no longer believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident.

A spokesman said: “They have also spoken to the boy’s parents and his school to provide appropriate reassurance.

“Officers would like to thank the media for their assistance with this matter.”