A primary school has raised the alarm after an elderly man with a goatee was seen offering sweets to young boys outside the gates.

The Hall School in Crossfield Road, Belsize Park, has reported the incident to police and alerted parents and nearby schools, while warning pupils to be “vigilant”.

The man, who was wearing a red hat, approached the children outside the fee-paying boys’ school, which teaches four to 13-year-olds, on Tuesday.

In a letter to parents, headteacher Chris Godwin wrote: “We have alerted other schools nearby and our boys have been instructed to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately to a member of staff.”

He said that the boys “dealt with situation very well”, adding: “I would be grateful if you could let me know straight away if you see a man fitting the description outside any of the school buildings.”