PARENTS at three New Forest schools are being warned to be on their guard after a man was seen acting suspiciously in the area.
Fordingbridge Junior and Infant schools have written to parents after a man was seen lurking in bushes near to the schools in Picket Close last week.
Staff at Burgate School have also alerted students and parents to the man's strange behaviour.
Police in Ringwood have now stepped up patrols in the area.
Officers say the man never attempted to abduct children but are seeking the public's assistance in identifying him.
Det Sgt Dave Brown of Ringwood CID said: "We have had a couple of incidents involving a male behaving suspiciously, loitering in some bushes.
"We will be putting extra patrols in the area and ultimately we would like to speak to the male to see what the nature of his being in this place was. It's an on-going inquiry."
If you have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area, contact Ring-wood CID on 0845 045 4545.
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