PARENTS in Kent have been warned to be vigilant after two youngsters were approached by men in incidents just a few miles apart.

In the first incident, a youngster was heading for Cliffe Woods Primary School, near Rochester, when they noticed a man following behind.

Now schools in the area have been put on alert and parents told to take extra care with their children.

The pupil was first followed and then approached by the man in the area of Graveney Close and Englefield Crescent, Cliffe Woods, on Wednesday, November 19.

A spokesman for Medway Council said: "The pupil told a member of staff at the school what had happened. "The police and the LEA were immediately contacted. A letter went to every parent that afternoon and every child went home with a known adult.

"In the meantime the LEA sent information about the incident to other schools. The LEA said it was very pleased with the quick response of Cliffe Woods school in handling this matter."

One of the other schools which sent letters home was Temple Mill Primary School in Strood. Parents were asked to inform the school if anyone different would be collecting their children in the afternoon.

One parent praised the school for its swift reaction.

She said: "I'm very pleased that Temple Mill sent a note home. This kind of thing is frightening but it's not unusual."

Six days later a man tried to snatch an 11-year-old boy. The man approached the boy in an alleyway leading from Brompton Lane in Frindsbury into Brook Hill Country Park.

The offender is described as a white man in his 30s with a goatee. He was slim with dark brown hair and was wearing a red top, dark jogging pants and white trainers.

At the time of the incident on Wednesday, November 25 around 4pm, there was a woman jogging in the park. The young boy remembers her because he was concerned for her welfare and waited to see if the man was going to approach her. Then the man tried to snatch him.

Medway Police is appealing for the woman or anyone else who may have been in the area at the time to contact either Det Con Matthew Lang or Det Con Chris White on 01634 884252 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.