A four-year-old boy was snatched by a stranger in a terrifying ordeal as he walked home from school with his mother in east London.
Police said they have stepped up patrols after the pupil in school uniform was picked up by a man who then attempted to flee the scene in Bow.
Officers are now hunting a suspect, who dropped the child after being confronted near St Agnes Primary School on Monday afternoon.
The suspect and the victim of the attempted kidnapping are not believed to be known to each other.
Letters sent to parents and shared on social media claim the child’s older brother chased the man before he rescued him.
Police confirmed the apparent kidnap attempt is being probed and warned parents to be vigilant in light of reports.
A Met spokesman said: “Police are investigating a report that a 4-year-old boy in school uniform was the victim of an attempted kidnap near to St Agnes Primary School at 3:10pm on Monday.
“The boy was allegedly picked up by the suspect at the end of a school day. The suspect tried to make off with the boy before being confronted, dropping the child and leaving the scene.
“Safer neighbourhood officers have increased patrols in the area.”
Police described the suspect as a black man wearing a black baseball cap with blue writing on the side. He also had a long thick gold chain on and wore a blue t-shirt.
Tower Hamlets council confirmed neighbourhood officers will be stationed around the school in response to the incident.
A spokesman added: “There was an alleged attempted abduction of a child outside St Agnes Primary School on Monday.
“Police are investigating the incident. Neighbourhood police will now be present outside the school at the beginning and end of the school day.
“Tower Hamlets Council and Police are reminding parents, staff and children to remain vigilant and to report anything they believe to be suspicious to the police by calling 101.”
Tower Hamlets Conservative councillor Andrew Wood said he was concerned about communication between schools and police after angry parents contacted him unaware of the report.
He told the Standard: “This is something I will be raising.”
