A MAN with a white van approached a group of children in Bolton days after two attempted abductions of two young girls.

Police were sent to Marsham Road in Westhoughton on Monday at around 7.15pm after being told a man approached a group of children before getting in a white van and leaving the scene.

A description of the man has not been provided.

A GMP spokesman said: "Police were called at around 7.15pm on Monday, September 28 to a report of suspicious circumstances on Marsham Road, Westhoughton.

"It was reported that a man approached a group of children before leaving in a white van.

"Enquiries into the circumstances remain ongoing."

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) says the incident is not being treated as linked to two attempted abductions of two young girls last week.

A man driving a white van approached a 10-year-old girl on Broadford Road in Deane at around 3.20pm on Wednesday September 23.

The Bolton News:

Broadford Road in Westhoughton (Picture: Google Maps)

The man tried to persuade the girl to go with him but she ran away.

The next day, on Thursday, September 24 at around 3.30pm, a nine-year-old girl was approached on Armadale Road – a continuation of Broadford Road – by a man in a white van who attempted to persuade her to go with him.

Again, the girl ran away.

In both reports last week the man was described as Asian and has a bald head and facial hair.

At the time of both of the incidents he is described as wearing a high-vis jacket and black trousers.

Detective Sergeant Robert Parker, of Greater Manchester Police’s Bolton division, described the two incidents last week as "incredibly concerning".

He said: "I would like to reassure the community that we are doing everything we can to find this man and have increased patrols in the area while we investigate these incidents.

"If you have any concerns at all please do speak to our officers.

"We are keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed either of these incidents or seen a man who fits this description driving a white van in the area.

"If you have seen anything suspicious at all, please do not hesitate to get in touch with police as a matter of urgency."

If you have any information about the two reports in Deane last week contact police on 0161 856 5757, quoting incident number 740 of September 24.

If you any details about the incident in Westhoughton on Monday contact 101 quoting reference number 2,519 of September 28.

Alternatively call, the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.