Police are reiterating warnings to parents after several incidents where children have been approached by strangers in Harlow.
The advice comes after a man tried to grab hold of a five-year-old girl while she was playing with friends in a garden on Broomfield shortly before 4pm on Sunday April 1st.
The man had got out of a white van and was only forced to let go of the girl when her older sister arrived.
A previous police warning in February was issued when two groups of young girls had concerns about the driver of a white van who had stopped to speak with them.
High-visibility police patrols have been stepped up in a bid to identify any offender as well as provide reassurance to children and parents.
Superintendent Luke Collison said: "We would ask parents to be mindful of exactly where their children are playing and to contact us immediately if they notice any suspicious behaviour, especially if a white Ford Transit style van is involved.
"While this appears to be a worrying incident, we would like to reassure people that Essex Police is doing everything possible to identify those involved.
"Again, we would ask parents to remind their children about the dangers of speaking or interacting with strangers."
Anyone with information in connection with the recent incidents is urged to contact detectives at Harlow's Major Investigation Team on 101 while anyone with immediate concerns about suspicious activity should call Essex Police on 999.
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