A BOY was approached by a stranger as he walked to school on his own for the first time.

The 11-year-old from Brighton was on his way to meet a friend when a man offered him a sweet at the bottom of Coombe Road, Brighton.

The boy’s 34-year-old father, who wanted to keep the family nameless, said: “I’m disgusted.

“To feel you can’t even let your son walk to the bus stop for the first time, I feel I should have done more.”

The man gave his son a sweet, which he later threw in the bin, and also offered him a chocolate bar.

The father said: “He was a bit dumbfounded when the guy approached him.

“He felt very scared, uneasy and worried.

“It’s quite scary because a lot of children use this road.”

Police said it was not clear what the man's motive was and that officers are keeping an open mind.

PC Paul Baker said: “There’s nothing to suggest the man was planning to commit any offence crime but we are remaining vigilant just in case.

“The boy did exactly the right thing by immediately reporting what had happened to an adult, who then contacted us.

“Local schools have been contacted to make them aware of the situation in case the man approaches any of their pupils in a similar way and we would urge anyone who has any concerns to contact us.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Sussex Police on 101.