Police say there is “no evidence” to support claims a series of suspicious incidents involving children in Bromley were attempted abductions.

An investigation was launched after four separate reports of children being followed in recent weeks, including two incidents within minutes of each other on April 30 in Beckenham.

Amid continued online speculation, police have provided a “clear message” that the incidents are not of the nature previously assumed.

News Shopper: Kelsey Park (Wikipedia)

Andy Brittain, South Area Superintendent, said: “As I continue to listen to our community leaders and monitor social media, it is obvious that the ongoing speculation and posting of suspicious incidents is continuing to cause a great deal of anxiety amongst our communities.

“It is therefore very important for me to provide you with this clear message.

“Over the last few weeks South Area police have received a number of reports of suspicious incidents, some of which were described in the media as attempted abductions.

“Each one of these reports has been investigated by South Area CID and at this time there is no evidence to support an allegation of attempted abduction in relation to any of the reports we have received.

Police previously admitted their response to the first reported attempted abduction, of an 11-year-old boy in Beckenham on April 30, was “not sufficient”.

Two hooded men on foot and another in a car then reportedly stalked an 11-year-old, before chasing him into nearby Croydon Road Recreation Ground at around 4.40pm.

The men disappeared when the boy sought help from two teenagers.

They increased their "visible presence" throughout the borough, launching the investigation which has now concluded.

Soon after, it emerged that an 8-year-old boy was allegedly approached by an unknown man at around 4.30pm in the wooded area of Kelsey Park on the same day.

According to reports, the man told the Clare House Primary School pupil to go with him, before fleeing after the boy shouted to a friend.

The most recent incident happened at The Glades shopping centre, on May 7, when two men were said to have been walking behind a small girl, with one seemingly going to grab her hand - which was raised in the air – before walking off.

On Friday, Superintendent Brittain assured parents that there is "no cause of alarm", urging communities not to speculate any further.