PARENTS are being urged to remind their children be extra vigilant when walking alone.

Manningtree High School issued a warning to parents and carers of students after a girl was followed by two men in white transit van.

The 16-year-old student was followed to Lawford Service Station, in Long Road, at about 4pm on May 9.

The men approached the girl and asked her where she was going and if they could give her a lift.

A man, who was a passenger in a white van, followed her into the shop and asked if she wanted a lift. He continued talking to her until she left the shop.

An email to parents said: “Please remind children to be vigilant when walking alone.”

A second email from the school was sent out to parents following a similar incident which happened in the Harwich area last Wednesday. It said there had been another report of two men in a white van approaching a girl.

An Essex Police spokesman said the incident involved an 18-year-old girl who was walking near Harwich Green at about 8.15am.

A van with two men inside pulled over and the passenger tried to start a conversation with her.

She began filming on him on her phone and he got back into the van, which drove off.

Anyone with information on either incident should contact police on 101.