PARENTS in north Kent say they are living in fear after another report of a man allegedly attempting to abduct a child.

Police have arrested a 40-year-old man on suspicion of attempting to abduct a 15-year-old girl from recreation ground The Warren in Valley Drive, Gravesend, last Tuesday (May 25).

This comes after the sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl in the park off Central Avenue in Gravesend on April 22, for which two men have been arrested but not charged.

This followed a string of attempted child abductions in January and February, with reports of seven children aged between eight and 12 being approached by a man across north Kent.

Kent police say the incidents are not linked, however parents across the area say they are frightened for the safety of their children.

Sharon Humm, whose 13-year-old son Matthew goes to Milestone School in Ash Road, New Ash Green, says the spate of incident have left her “terrified”.

The 46-year-old, of Farm Avenue in Swanley, said: “It’s horrible to think there are people out there who want to attack or sexually assault our children. It makes you live in fear.”

More than 6,000 people have joined a Facebook group called Keep the School Children of Kent Safe since the reports of the attempted abductions in January and February.

Members report suspected incidents to each other, and many have posted comments about their fears for their children after the latest suspected attempted abduction.

Michelle Varnham wrote: “People need to be made aware of the dangers of living in Dartford, especially school children at the moment.”

Kent police's Detective Inspector Andy Short said: "We would advise parents to remind their children of basic personal safety and just be a bit more vigilant at the moment.

"Children should try to stay in pairs where possible and not put themselves into vulnerable positions.

"Our advise is to maintain usual basic personal safety."