A driver told a schoolboy to get in his van as he walked home from school in Brighton.
The 11-year-old boy ran off along Mackie Avenue and the man drove away.
Sussex Police said: “Just before 5pm on Tuesday 7 October we received a report that an 11-year old boy had been followed by a man in a small white van (not Transit size) as he walked home along Mackie Avenue, Patcham, after playing in the park there.
“The man shouted at the boy to get in the van but the boy ran off and the man drove away.
“No trace was found of the man or the van.
“The man was described as being in his forties and scruffy, wearing a white top and grey bottoms.
“The motive for this isolated incident has not been established.
“Local schools have been advised as a matter of standard practice to help ensure that any other such incidents get reported to police.
“There have been no other such reports to date.”
The boy’s school, Patcham High, said on its website: “The school have been informed of an incident in Mackie Park on Tuesday evening, where a Patcham student was approached by a stranger.
“Students have been made aware and the local neighbourhood police team have been informed.
“Please remain vigilant.”
Anyone who has any information about the incident is asked to phone Sussex Police on 101 or email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk.