PUPILS are being warned not to walk alone after a man attacked two boys on their way home from school.

Head teachers at Chatham South and neighbouring Chatham Grammar School for Boys have advised students walking home to do so with friends, and to take the shortest, safest route.

And the Local Education Authority (LEA) has asked heads to put pupils on alert following the separate incidents.

A man believed to be aged 18 to 20 approached the pupils, both from Chatham South, on their way home from the Letchworth Avenue school.

Police are investigating. They say they are treating the assaults as attempted incidents but a letter sent to parents from Chatham South head teacher Vincent O’Mara says young people have been assaulted on more than one occasion.

He said: “It has been reported to us that there is a man in the local area who has approached and assaulted young people.

“It is important to speak to your children about this serious situation and put them on their guard.

“I strongly advise that students go home by the most direct route without using short-cuts or alleyways and avoid isolated areas such as parks and cemeteries.”

The letter describes the man as white with short or shaven dark brown hair, about 5ft 8ins and wearing a tracksuit.

A Medway Council spokesman said: “All Medway schools have been notified in the usual way with a stranger danger reminder from the LEA.”

Insp Jerry Bownas, from Medway Police, said: “There have been two similar, separate incidents in which boys have been approached by a man who has attempted to assault them.

“Officers have met with the LEA and asked them to issue a reminder of general safety advice to schools in Medway for distribution to staff, students and parents.

“Pupils should remain vigilant and report anything suspicious while taking care when they travel to and from school.”