Police are looking for a man seen hanging around schools in a black car after a ten-year-old was offered a lift by a stranger.

Police patrols near Brighton and Hove schools have been increased following two “stranger-danger” reports yesterday.

The police helicopter was scrambled in Brighton yesterday following reports from parents of a man trying to take children.

A ten-year-old girl reported feeling like she was being followed by a black Mini as she walked to school in Wilbury Crescent at 9am.

The car then pulled up and the male driver asked her if she wanted a lift.

She ran away and told staff at the school.

At 10.45am a man in a black saloon car was seen driving past and stared at two children when a mother walked them to school in The Avenue, Moulsecoomb.

He had not approached or talked to the children.

Inspector Bill Whitehead from Brighton Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "It is not known what the man's intentions were and police are reassuring children and parents not to be alarmed.

"We received a similar call on Monday July 4 regarding a man who approached a ten-year-old girl outside Patcham Junior School and as a result of this officers have been visiting schools locally to talk to the pupils about stranger danger and how to keep themselves safe."

Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to contact Sussex Police on 0845 60 70 999 quoting serial 405 of 15/7 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.