Police today issued a warning about a woman posing as a social worker who approached a two-year-old child in Abingdon.

At about 1.40pm yesterday, a woman was looking after a two-year-old girl in the communal garden area in Stratton Way when another woman went up to the girl.

The woman claiming to be from social services asked questions about the girl. She then went back over to a man who was waiting on the pavement and they walked away.

The woman is white, aged between 35 and 40 and of medium build. She was wearing a floral top and white trousers and had brown hair with red streaks in it.

Det Con Jon Shaw said: “Although no offences were committed, this incident has understandably concerned the parents of the little girl.

“This woman might have been being friendly and I would like other parents and guardians not to be alarmed, but to be aware that this has happened and to report any suspicious behaviour like this to police and also to make sure that they are aware of where their young children are at all times.

“If a child is approached by a stranger, our advice would be to run, yell and tell – to run away from the stranger, make as much noise as possible and tell a parent, teacher or police officer as soon as possible.”

Anyone with any information about the incident can contact Det Con Jon Shaw at Abingdon police station via 0845 8 505 505, or if you don’t want to talk to the police or give your name, call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.