POLICE are investigating reports a man tried to abduct a 10-year-old boy from an East Renfrewshire shopping centre.

A man allegedly tried to force a child into his car at The Avenue in Newton Mearns on Sunday.

A spokeswoman for Police Scotland confirmed the matter is under investigation and said: “We can confirm that police received a report of an incident which occurred within the car park of The Avenue Shopping Centre at around 3.30pm on Sunday, April 2.

“It was reported that a man was acting suspiciously towards a 10-year-old boy who ran off and informed the security guard.

“At no time was the child grabbed or pushed into a vehicle. Police enquiries are continuing.”

Reports of the apparent abduction attempt first emerged on social media after the mother of the boy, who is believed to have been targeted, warned others to be on their guard.

The post has now been shared several hundreds of times.

It read: “Be on the lookout for a male, 5ft 11, with chin-length grey hair and a grey beard driving a black four-door hatchback with a dog grate in the back.

“This afternoon in the underground car park at The Avenue he attempted to abduct my 10-year-old-son.

“He asked him to get into his car and help him with something. My son said ‘no’ so he got out of the car and ran after him trying to grab him.

“My son let security know at The Avenue and then he went with his dad to the police who looked at the security cameras only to discover that it was facing down to the ground, probably hit by the guy so no-one could see what he was up to.

“My son was very lucky but someone else’s kid might not be so please warn them to be careful.”

Though police have not issued a wider safety message to other parts of the region, news of the incident, and further rumours there were four separate abduction attempts, have caused concern.