POLICE are investigating an incident at a Gloucester nursery where a young woman tried to pick up a child.

A girl aged around 16 called at the Tuffley nursery at around 4.45pm on Thursday, January 5 and told staff she was there to collect her nephew, referring to him by name.

A staff member rang the family to check the girl’s story and was told that no one fitting her description was due to pick the boy up. When the nursery worker returned to tell the girl she had gone.

The girl is described as white, around 5ft tall, 16 years old with thick, straight and mousy hair just below shoulder length. She was wearing silver rim square frame glasses with very thick lenses. She had a slim, oval shaped face, a very thin body and was wearing a thick black winter coat and dark trousers.

Police believe a girl seen in Grange Road at the time may also be connected to the incident. She is described as aged around 14 or 15 with blonde hair, a pony tail, black trousers and a long coat.

Officers are urging the girls or anyone who has information about the incident to come forward immediately.

Detective Sergeant Mark Stenhouse said: “The girl could just have gone to the wrong nursery by mistake or it could have been a stupid prank.

“Whatever it was we need information to get to the bottom of it. If you are the girl or know this girl, please call us straight away.

“The nursery did the right thing by checking the girl’s credentials. The parents have been informed and other nurseries in the area warned to be vigilant.

“The local community policing team have been patrolling the area and CCTV and house to house inquiries have been made to help progress the investigation."

Anyone with information should call Gloucestershire Police on 101, quoting incident 305 of January 5.

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111