Pupils at a Sittingbourne secondary school have been advised to walk in groups after a 12-year-old boy was reportedly grabbed by a man in an underpass.

Police are investigating after the Westlands pupil was grabbed from behind while walking through the tunnel off Staplehurst Road at about 3.30pm yesterday.

The suspect is thought to be a black man who wore a green coat.

The youngster's mum, who has asked not to be identified, said: "He came in and said 'Someone tried to grab me'. I was petrified. You just think of Sarah Payne and other things that have happened.

"He bit him and that's what made him let go. He screamed out 'I'm phoning the police when I get home' and the bloke ran off down Staplehurst Road. Whoever it is will have a bite mark on their arm."

The boy, who was on his own, would usually have been walking with other pupils.

"You know these things happen but you don't expect it will happen to you," his mum added. "I've always taught the kids what to do if it did. They know about the bad side of the outside world.

"Hopefully, if everyone is aware of this happening they can keep an eye out."

Westlands contacted all parents today warning that pupils should beware.

Head teacher Simon Cox wrote: "An incident occurred after school on Wednesday, where a man attempted to grab a male pupil under the archway on Staplehurst Road.

"Our pupil has not been injured in any way but I am sure you will understand an incident such as this is extremely upsetting for the victim.

"The police have been alerted. In the light of this incident and other recent issues in the community we are advising that children travel in groups and phone 999 if they see anything suspicious.

"It is important that children avoid any contact or communication with anyone acting strangely."

"It is important that children avoid any contact or communication with anyone acting strangely" - Westlands head Simon Cox

A police spokesman, who described the boy as having been "loosely grabbed from behind", added: "Enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident."

Sittingbourne has seen a number of similar incidents in recent months.

At the end of September, a 14-year-old girl who goes to Fulston Manor School in Sittingbourne was followed by a man who attempted to grab her.

And in July, an eight-year-old Regis Manor Primary School pupil was said to have been grabbed at by a man in a bush.