A BEARDED man is suspected of approaching a girl near a Malmesbury community centre.

Parents were last night describing the suspect as in his 40s with brown hair.

The suspicious incident, said to have happened on Tuesday lunchtime, prompted teachers at Malmesbury CE Primary School to write to parents saying children would not be allowed to walk home alone.

The letter read: "We have just heard of an incident where a man has tried to take hold of a child in or near the Riverside Centre.

"The police are investigating.

READ MORE: Man tries to grab school pupil, youngsters not allowed to leave alone

"As a precautionary measure, staff will be walking children to the Co-Op car park after school, rather than the children being able to make the journey alone.

"Children who were intending to walk home alone will be kept until their parents can collect them.

"We will keep you updated, however it may be necessary for all parents to bring their children to school tomorrow."

Police statement in full

A spokeswoman for Wiltshire Police said: “We received a report yesterday (22/01/19) that at approximately 1pm a 10-year-old child had been followed by a van driver in Gloucester Road.

"The man is described as white, aged in his 40s, with short brown hair and a beard. He was wearing dark clothes and is believed to have been driving a Vauxhall panel van.

"The child was not grabbed or injured during the incident. We increased patrols in the area yesterday afternoon and would urge anyone who sees anything suspicious to call police on 101.”