PARENTS and young children have been urged to be on their guard after a suspicious man was spotted taking photographs of school pupils in a park near their school.

Worried youngsters told their teachers about a man, described as white, in his 30s and wearing headphones, who had been taking pictures of children around Wrose Recreation Ground, Wrose, in the morning before lessons began at the nearby primary school.

The suspect was seen taking images on his mobile phone at the popular open space on Wrose Road, well-known for its football pitches and sports facilities.

Teachers at a nearby school quickly reported the incident to police at 9.45am on Thursday morning.

"Officers attended the scene near Wrose Road, but there was no sign of the suspect," a police spokesman said.

Bradford Council's education department was informed and that afternoon a letter was sent out by Bradford Council's education department to parents and carers across the whole BD18 postcode, including Shipley and Saltaire.

It states: "We have been alerted to an incident of a man thought to be in his 30s using his phone to take photographs of children at a park close to a school in BD18 this morning.  "Several children reported the incident to school staff who have informed the police.  "Please can all schools be extra vigilant and if you witness anything similar at your school, please contact the police."

Explaining the need to swiftly inform parents across the whole BD18 area, Michael Jameson, Strategic Director of Children's Services, said: "Keeping our young people safe is always the key priority and we encourage our schools to routinely promote safeguarding best practice as part of their usual work.  "Whenever a specific incident of concern is reported, schools can then reiterate that ongoing message of vigilance without causing excessive alarm.

"We also circulate information about suspicious incidents to schools in the area as soon as they are reported so all schools can be extra vigilant."

Police are continuing to investigate the incident and have appealed for anyone with information to call 101 or contact the Shipley Neighbourhood Policing Team via the West Yorks Police website.