POLICE are increasing patrols in Prestwich after a nine-year-old was asked by a stranger to get into a car.

The boy was walking down Harrogate Avenue in Sedgley at around 1pm yesterday when a man in a silver sports car, possibly a BMW, wound his window down and asked the boy to get in the car.

The boy ran away and the car drove off.

The boy’s parents then contacted the police.

Enquiries into the incident are ongoing and no arrests have been made so far.

Sgt Steve Wightman-Love, of Greater Manchester Police's Prestwich team, said patrols were being increased partly because of more children and families being out in the streets during the Jewish holidays.

He said: “Because of the holidays there are a lot of children playing out in the streets, which could make them more vulnerable.

“Criminals are not stupid and they will target people who are more vulnerable.”

Sgt Wightman-Love added this was an isolated incident and he did not want to cause unnecessary alarm with the increased patrols.

“I would ask all parents in all communities to make sure all their children are safe," he added.

Anybody with more information should contact the police non-emergency number 101, quoting incident number 0855 of October 12 2016.