A BALACLAVA-wearing man attempted to entice a nine-year-old girl outside a school in Swindon by offering sweets.

Today parents from Hazelwood Academy were sent a text informing them of the incident yesterday and urging them to report any suspicious behaviour. 

The text read: "Yesterday after school, a child was approached near the school by an individual wearing a balaclava and carrying a bag of sweets. 

"The individual approached the child and tried to encourage them to come home with them. 

"When the child declined, the individual followed them as they made their way home. 

"The child is safe. The police have been informed," said the school. 

Police have said that the girl wasn't physically touched by the man and was not injured.

The incident took place on Deneb Drive, close to Oakhurst Primary School.

The man is described as white, approximately 5 ft 6 inces tall, wearing dark jogging bottoms, a sweater and neon pink trainers. 

He was also carrying a rucksack and has his face covered. 

Det Sgt Justin Downes said: "The girl involved did the right thing by running away and telling her parent. 

"We are conducting enquiries in relation to this incident and still have some CCTV footage from the local area to obtain, however, in the meantime we would be keen to hear from anyone who may have seen a man macthing the description in the area shortly after 6pm yesterday. 

"I'd also like to stress to parents the importance of speaking to their children about stranger danger."

Anyone with information should call 101 and quote crime reference number 54190100705