DETECTIVES have denied that any criminal activity took place after a headteacher warned parents that a stranger tried to lure schoolchildren into his car.

A letter was sent out to parents of Highdown School, Emmer Green, saying pupils were approached by a man in a car near Lowfield Road, Caversham.

The letter told parents that the students had walked away despite being asked to get in the car three tines, and pupils should be "vigilant" while walking to and from school.

An investigation was launched by Thames Valley Police, but officers claim the incident was a misunderstanding.

Police Constable Nick Fielding-Smith from Reading police station, said: "We have fully investigated this report, which has now been concluded and this seems to have been a misunderstanding, no crime has occurred and we have made no arrests.

“We would however urge young people and parents to remain vigilant, and would say the teenagers acted completely correctly in raising the alarm.

“I wish to allay the communities fears in this matter, however if they have any concerns that they contact their local neighbourhood police team, or if they wish to report a crime contact 101”.

The letter from Mrs Cave, headteacher, read: "After school yesterday, Tuesday March 1, two of our students were approached by a man in a car near Lowfield Road. On three occasions the man asked the students to get into his car. The students acted extremely sensibly, walked away and immediately went to their friends house."