POLICE are investigating an incident of "suspicious activity" after a driver allegedly pulled up in front of a 10-year-old girl and beckoned her towards the car.

Officers received a report on Monday (April 24) that a man driving a black saloon-type car had pulled up in front of the girl at 5.23pm on the junction of Fleet Lane and Stocks Avenue in Parr.

He then made a gesture to her from the vehicle.

The girl ran off and was unharmed and the driver, who did not speak to the girl, then drove off.

Details of the driver and his vehicle have been circulated to patrols.

A police statement said the incident is being treated as "suspicious circumstances" and added schools in the area have been informed.

St Helens Local Policing Inspector Matt Drennan said: “We have offered advice to the schools in respect of this matter.

“Although of obvious concern the girl did the right thing by telling an adult at the earliest opportunity. Neighbourhood officers regularly visit schools to work alongside teachers in giving children appropriate stranger danger advice.

“I would like to reassure parents in the local community that we take all incidents of this nature extremely seriously, although they are thankfully rare.

"I would encourage anyone with further information to contact their local neighbourhood officers, call 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”