POLICE are urging parents to be vigilant after a mystery driver attempted to grab an 11-year-old boy in Catford.

The boy, who has not been named, was walking along Waters Road at 2.30pm on Sunday, November 18, when he passed a silver car.

He heard a shout from the window and when he turned around a black man leant out of the window and grabbed hold of his arm.

The boy, who was on his way home from the shops, managed to pull himself away from the man's grasp and run away. The driver did not say anything during the struggle.

Police are still trying to establish the motive of the attack, and are speaking to the boy who is still very shaken.

A police spokesman said: "We are appealing for members of the public to be vigilant as although we do not know the suspect's intentions at this stage, they would appear to be suspicious. We are also appealing for witnesses to the incident to come forward."

The boy is white, 5ft1in tall, slim and has black hair. He was wearing a dark jacket at the time. The suspect had a wart on his chin.

Anyone with information should contact Lewisham CID on 020 8284 8368, or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

December 3, 2001 11:06