Police patrolling Belsize Park primary school after ‘suspicious’ man offers sweets to young boys

Police are mounting patrols outside a primary school after a man with a goatee sparked safety fears by offering sweets to two young boys.

Officers say they are “stepping up high visibility patrols” outside The Hall School in Crossfield Road, Belsize Park, following the incident on Tuesday.

Two pupils at the independent boys’ school, which teaches four to 13-year-olds, were approached outside the gates by an elderly man with a goatee and a red hat.

The school was so concerned by the incident that it reported the matter to police before alerting parents, other nearby school and warning pupils to be “vigilant”.

A spokesman for Camden Police said: “Belsize Safer Neighbourhoods Team were notified of the incident at the school.

“They are liaising with the head to try and establish further details. They will also be stepping up high visibility patrols especially at the start and finish times of school hours.”