A MAN in a van has tried to lure a young schoolboy into his van, in Redditch. 

A man in a blue van stopped in a layby near Ridgeway Middle School on Evesham Road in Astwood Bank and told an 11-year-old boy to get in his van.

The boy didn’t know the man and refused, however the man persisted claiming the boy’s mother was in hospital and he needed to go with him.

After the boy refused a second time the man drove off.

It happened around 3pm last Wednesday (October 9).

Detective Constable Sonya Gibbs said: “This is obviously a very concerning incident and we are appealing for any information from the public and motorists who were in the area if they have any dashcam footage that may assist in our enquiries.

"Any information, no matter how small, may help."

The van is as described as plain and dark blue with a ladder on the roof and a ladder to climb up to the roof.

The man is described mixed race with a bushy beard in a goatee style and was wearing a black hoody.

The victim also described the man has having very bad teeth which were brownish like a smoker.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or seen anyone acting suspiciously in a blue van in the area of Ridgeway Middle School is asked to contact West Mercia Police on 101, quoting incident number 520s of 9 October 2019.