A STRANGER in a white van is reportedly trying to offer children lifts.

Police received reports of a man acting suspiciously at 4:10pm on Wednesday, May 17, in Broomstick Hall Road and at 8am on Friday May 19, in Roundhills, Waltham Abbey.

The man, who has dark brown facial hair and a deep voice, got out of his van and asked a group of boys if they needed a lift.

He is around five foot ten inches tall and bald.

Chief inspector Lewis Basford said: “We want to reassure people that these kind of incidents are rare but always cause concern in the community.

“In both incidents, the children did the right thing by running to a place of safety and letting a passerby know.

“While there may be a an innocent explanation, I want to reassure everyone that we always take reports like this very seriously.”