Police today warned youngsters to be extra careful over the Easter holidays after a man tried to lure two children into his car.

The boy and girl were walking through Chelmsford's Moulsham area when they were approached by the man who was thought to be driving a taxi.

The man said to them "Come and have a look at my animal in the car."

But the girl, a pupil at Mildmay Infant School and the boy, a pupil at Mildmay Junior School, ignored the man's advances by walking off and they went to tell their parents about the incident.

This is the fifth incident of this kind since last May in Chelmsford with pupils being approached or men being reported as acting suspiciously.

Extra officers have now been brought in to patrol the Moulsham area.

Crime reduction officer Kathy Payne is now calling for children to be extra vigilant when out playing.

Warning letters have been sent out by the schools following the most recent attempted abduction and police will be visiting schools to hand out special safety packs.

Published Tuesday, April 8, 2003

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