A MOTHER is warning parents to be on their guard after her young son was threatened with a knife in a park.

Jordan Bailey, 10, was playing football in the park off Balmoral Road at Gillingham when he was approached by an Asian man who tried to hug him before pulling out a knife.

The man, believed to be a Sikh, began talking about his faith and told the boy he was his father before pulling out the six-inch knife.

When Jordan tried to escape, the man grabbed him by his jumper and began waving the blade above his head.

The youngster, who had been playing football with a friend, managed to escape unharmed but has been left too frightened to go back to the park since the incident at around 5.20pm on Tuesday, March 28.

Police are anxious to trace the man who is thought to be aged between 35 and 40.

He has a long beard and was wearing a black turban, green jacket, black trousers and white trainers at the time of the incident. He is of slim to medium build and about 5ft 9in.

It is believed the knife may have been a kirpan, a curved knife worn by some Sikhs.

Jordan’s mother Kriss Bailey said: “The man shouldn’t be allowed to carry the knife whether it is for religious reasons or not.

“My son managed to get away but what happens if the man approaches other children and they are not so lucky?

“I will never let him go to that park again because I have heard this man goes there regularly to feed the birds. I hope telling people about this acts as a warning to them.”

A spokesman for Medway Police said: “We are anxious to trace this man and find out where he lives."

Anyone who thinks they may know of his whereabouts is asked to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or Kent police on 01622 690690.”