A SCHOOL has issued a warning after what it described as "the failed abduction attempt" of two of its female pupils.

Pupils at Beckfoot Oakbank School in Keighley were being urged to walk home in pairs following the incident which occurred at about 8.30am today (November 2).

West Yorkshire Police said they had been made aware of several incidents of girls being approached by a man fitting the same description.

A spokesman for Beckfoot Oakbank School said: "There has been an incident in the community involving two of our pupils - a failed abduction attempt.

"The children are fine, and we are advising all our children to walk home in pairs.

"The safety of our students is our priority and this is now a police matter."

She said she understood primary schools in the area have issued similar statements to parents.

Despite the school's statement a West Yorkshire Police spokesman said the incident was not being treated as an attempted abduction.

He said: "Police are aware of a social media post which relates to an incident at about 8.30am today where a male has approached schoolgirls in Keighley.

"The male is said to have walked up to a girl on Westburn Avenue and grabbed her arm before walking off down Arncliffe Road on his own.

"He is also alleged to have approached other girls in the area.

"Police would like to stress that while this matter is still under investigation it is not being treated as an attempted abduction.

"Inquiries are continuing to trace this male, who is described as Asian, in his late teens to early 20s.

"He was of slim build and was wearing dark bottoms and a fleeced jacket.

"Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting log reference 0308 of 2 November."