A nine-year-old boy was abducted from his mum's car outside a school as parents came to collect their children, it has emerged.
The youngster was snatched by two men outside Minster Junior School in Croydon, south London, and driven three miles to Thornton Heath on Thursday.
Schools were already on high alert after a girl was grabbed by a man in a balaclava the day before at Aerodrome Primary just two streets away.
Parents were informed of the latest incident in an email from Minster headteacher Hannah Farhan, reports My London.
It read: "Yesterday afternoon at approximately 3.30pm, a nine-year-old Junior School child was taken from his mother's car outside the school gates by two unknown men and driven away to Thornton Heath.
"The boy was let out of the car, picked up by police and safely returned to his home later in the evening.
"We have no description of the men or the car as yet."
It comes after Aerodrome headteacher Zoe Foulsham warned that one of her pupils had been grabbed by a man on Wednesday morning.
The girl was getting off the bus on her way to school when the man grabbed her arm and held it for a while without saying anything.
He was described as tall and wearing dark clothes.
The incident took place by Denning Avenue, around the corner from the school.
Parents in Croydon have been warned to be vigilant and report anything suspicious to the school and police.
Aerodrome Primary Academy has asked parents to bring their children to and from school rather than allowing them to go home alone.
Ms Foulsham told parents: "Please could we ask that all children are brought to school and picked up by an adult wherever possible to ensure we are keeping the children safe.
"I know this will be very worrying for our school community and if you would like any help or support when talking to your child about keeping safe please contact the school."
One parent said there was a huge increase in mums and dads collecting their children following the incident.
He said: "It's a good school and lots of parents have felt safe enough to let their children walk to school but after this, we're all very worried.
"This is getting too serious. I'm taking time off work to take my little girl to and from school because this is very scary."
A Met Police spokesperson said: "Police were called at 3.54pm on Thursday, February 24 after a school boy was reported missing.
"The boy was later found and returned home by a family friend.
"Following extensive enquiries it was established that no offences had taken place and no further action will be taken."
