An anxious mum is calling for stronger security measures in a park after a man tried to pull her young son out of her hand.

Vickie King, 25, was walking through Victoria Park in Ashford with her four-year-old Jacob when a stranger believed to be in his 40s approached them.

The Hillbrow Lane resident says the man - who was English and had receding brown hair - grabbed her boy and would not let go.

"It was like we were playing tug-of-war with my son," she said.

"Jacob likes to walk on the triangular wall close to the bridge and he shouted 'mummy, can you help me down off the wall?'

"But this guy also walked over to help him. I said 'it's fine, I've got him' but he carried on walking towards him to grab his hand.

"His arm was rigid and he wouldn't let go."

Miss King - who was also walking with her one-year-old daughter and another man - reported the incident to the police.

It happened last Tuesday morning at about 9.40am.

The man is described as about six feet tall and wore glasses.

"I am concerned about the safety of Victoria Park," Miss King added.

"I'm hoping the cameras nearby are working so they can see what happened, but if they aren't then that is a definite concern and more lights and cameras are needed.

"The only thought running through my head was to hold onto Jacob and not let go.

"After the man did let go he just walked away as if nothing had happened. My whole body just froze."

Miss King says tighter security is needed in the park.

She added: "My advice to people would be to not let their children out of their sight in the park.

"When you have more than one child it's difficult to watch them both.

"It was just lucky I was watching him at the time as this might have been a completely different story."

A police spokesman said inquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances of the incident.