Detectives are investigating an attempted abduction of a six-year-old boy from his garden in Balham.

The boy was reportedly in his home when a man approached him and spoke over the wall.

The man is alleged to have said that he had some sweets and drinks in his van before the child ran back inside and alerted his mother.

The incident happened at around 4.30pm on Thursday, 22 April on Clarence Avenue.

It is understood that by the time the mother came outside the man had left.

The suspect was described by the victim as a brown-skinned male, 5ft 6in tall, with short black hair, wearing a blue blazer, and black trousers.

Detective Sergeant Mark Pascall, investigating the incident, said:

"Incidents of this nature are very rare and in this instance, the boy was not harmed at all.

"Nonetheless, I completely understand the concern it has caused both the boy's family and the community and can assure local people that we are taking this incident very seriously.

"We are doing everything we can to identify the man described and urge anyone who was in the area at the time and saw a man acting suspiciously to contact us.

"If you were driving and have dashcam footage that may have captured the man described, please get in touch."

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting CRIS 1210094/21

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