Parents have been put on alert by police after a “suspicious” man was seen asking schoolgirls if they wanted a ride in his car.

The Holy Cross School in Sandal Road issued the alerted after receiving information from the Metropolitan Police Youth Engagement Team for Kingston.

The man who has been seen around Surbiton and Tolworth is described as between 30 to 40 years old with black hair tied back in a ponytail with a black bushy moustache.

He was seen wearing a grey hooded zip up top and was driving a Renault Clio although a registration number is not yet known.

The police statement said: “No offences have been committed, but police are keen to speak to this male and ascertain his identification and intentions. If this male is seen please do not approach him unless it is safe to do so (adults only), if he is in a vehicle please try to obtain a registration number if safe to do so, and please call 101.”

The school added it regularly reminded pupils to be vigilant when travelling to and from school and asked parents to remind their daughters of the dangers of talking to people they may not know.