PARENTS in Thornbury are being advised to pay close attention to their children's whereabouts.

The advice comes after reports of an attempted abduction in the town of a seven-year-old boy.

The incident happened at 4.15pm on Sunday, July 13, in the Streamleaze area of the town.

Sgt Craig Ogborne, of Thornbury Police Station, said: "The police were notified that a seven-year-old boy who was playing on his bicycle was approached by a man who quickly walked away.

"The man is understood to have come from a white van also carrying a woman.

"The boy was not injured in the incident.

"We have circulated details and descriptions in the locality for police information and it is being treated as a suspicious incident, although there has been no other reports locally of anything similar.

"PCSOs were also sent to all primary schools in Thornbury to speak to and reassure parents."

As a precaution many of the schools in the town issued warnings and safety advice in their newsletters to parents.

Clive Riches, headteacher of Gillingstool Primary School, said: "We were given the information about an incident by another school and were also contacted by the local police so we passed the information immediately onto our parents.

"This is an important warning particularly this time of year when children are out and about in the lighter evenings.

"It is important parents are thinking about their children's safety and the whereabouts of their children at all times.

"Child safety is always a top priority and we hope that people will take sensible precautions."