A "SUSPICIOUS" incident outside a school this morning led to worried parents to believe it may have been an attempted abduction.
A parent at Heavers Farm Primary School, in South Norwood, contacted police after seeing men in a blue Suzuki car slow down and look at a child on her way to school.
The men, who appeared to be watching the child as she approached the school entrance in Dinsdale Gardens. They apparently did not say or do anything.
The parent also said they appeared to have something pulled over their heads and that, when she appeared from round the corner, the men drove away.
Head teacher Susan Papas said that, when she arrived at school, the police were already investigating and advised her to contact parents.
She posted a blog on the school website about the "attempted abduction" but said she was contacted by the police who accused her of "scare-mongering".
Mrs Papas said: "I was called by the police and asked to change the message.
"It is difficult to tread the line between upsetting parents and keeping your responsibility towards their children."
The incident is now referred to as a "suspicious incident" on the school's website.
A police spokesman said: "We investigated the incident and checked the registration number of the car and there was no suggestion that this was an attempted abduction.
"We would always ask parents to remain vigilant and to call police on 999 if they see anything suspicious."
