Schools have warned parents to be vigilant after an attempted abduction of a school girl on Wednesday morning.

The Year 6 pupil was walking to Drapers’ Brookside Junior School in Dagnam Park Drive, Harold Hill, just after 8am when the incident occurred.

Four men in a grey, brown and green camouflage coloured Range Rover style vehicle pulled up and asked her for money before attempting to grab her.

They drove off and returned almost immediately, pulled up on the curb next to her and made a second bid to get her into the vehicle.

A police spokeswoman said: “The girl was not injured. Detectives and local safer neighbourhoods officers are liaising with the school.

“No arrests have been made and enquiries continue.”

The advice from schools asks children to ordinarily walk to and from school unaccompanied now do so in pairs and that staff on the gates are aware of the situation and look out for anyone acting suspiciously.

A spokesman from Drapers’ Brookside Junior School said: “Safety for all our pupils is absolutely paramount and we have taken all steps to ensure our pupils, parents and the local community are both informed and vigilant.

“The pupil involved in the incident is safe and with her family. As a school we are in close contact with the family and we will do all we can to help her through this time.

“The pupil involved in incident should be applauded for how she handled this potentially dangerous situation.”

Police ask if anyone has information regarding the distinctive vehicle or the incident they call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.