A concerned Gravesend mum whose 11-year-old son was "held at knifepoint" on his way to school has issued a plea to parents to not let their kids walk alone.

The boy was reportedly asked to leave with the stranger while passing through Milton Hall Road on his way to Gravesend Grammar School, in Church Walk, but ran away.

The incident happened just before 8.30am today (April 19).

Map: The little man was 'threatened' near Milton Hall Road (A), on his way to Gravesend Grammar School (B).

The little lad was said to be "a bit shaken", while his mum added: "I feel sick and I can't stop thinking about what could have happened if he hadn't run away."

The suspect was said to be a white, English man in his 30s or 40s, who was wearing an olive green jacket and blue jeans.

Allegations are also circulating that a man matching the same description threatened a student with a knife on a bus previously.

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Gravesend residents rallied around the mum, and offered words of support.

One said: "How scary - held at knife point. How bloody petrifying.

"Poor little man, really hope they find this piece of scum! So pleased he is okay and not hurt, bless him xxx"

A Kent Police spokesman said: "Officers are carrying out enquiries after receiving a report that a man may have been in possession of a knife in Church Walk.

"Officers carried out a search of the area but did not locate the man. Further patrols will be carried out in the area to provide reassurance.

"Enquiries into the incident are ongoing."

Anyone with information about the incident should call call 101, quoting reference 19-186.