'Attempted abduction' at school not suspicious

Police have said that an "attempted abduction" outside a primary school in York has been deemed not to be suspicious.

The "safeguarding incident" took place in the area around Westfield Primary School, in Acomb, at about 09:10 BST on Tuesday, according to North Yorkshire Police.

A letter from the school to parents, which has been shared online and by other schools in the area, stated that the child was unharmed and details of the man involved had been given to officers.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said the circumstances were not being treated as suspicious, but that patrols had been stepped up in the area to "provide reassurance" to parents and the wider community.

In the letter to parents, the school's headteacher, Lamara Taylor, said that on Tuesday morning at drop-off time "there was an attempted abduction of one of our pupils at Grange Lane".

"The child involved is thankfully unharmed and is being supported by their family and the school," the letter stated.

Ms Taylor said staff had since spoken to all Year 5 and 6 children to remind them of personal safety when walking to and from school, "including how to recognise and respond to situations that may make them feel uncomfortable".

City of York Council had been notified and information had been shared with all "appropriate partners", she added.

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