Four-year-old snatched by stranger outside primary school in east London

The pupil at St Agnes Primary School in Bow was grabbed by a man wearing a black baseball cap, say police

St Agnes Roman Catholic Primary School in Bow, east London (Google Maps)

A four-year-old boy was snatched by stranger outside a primary school at the end of the school day, police have said.

The child, a pupil at St Agnes Primary School in Bow, east London, was grabbed by a man wearing a black baseball cap.

The suspected abductor is said to have tried to run off with the boy, but dropped him and fled after he was confronted.

Safer Neighbourhood officers have increased patrols in the area following the incident, which took place at 3:10pm on Monday.

"The suspect is described as a black male and wearing a black baseball cap with blue writing on the side. He had a long thick gold chain on and a blue t-shirt," police said in a statement.

Police and Tower Hamlets Council have asked parents, staff and children to remain vigilant and to report anything suspicious to the police by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency.