POLICE are warning parents to be on their guard after a man tried to abduct a five-year-old girl during a family visit to Hampton Court Palace on Sunday.

The family, who do not live locally and have not been identified by police, had come to Hampton Court in order to spend a day exploring the beautiful gardens and historic palace building, once home to Henry VIII.

At about 3pm the little girl and her father went to take some photos of the east side of the grounds while the mother and older sister went to look at something else.

The five-year-old girl was so involved in taking pictures of the scenery that she wandered a short distance away from her father.

When he looked round to find her, he saw a man holding his daughter by the arm and trying to lead her away.

The father shouted for the man to leave her alone.

The stranger immediately dropped her arm and walked off saying: "I was just going to play with her."

The family reported the incident to Hampton Court wardens who called the police.

Sergeant Brian Hizzett of <a href="<a href="http://www.met.police.uk/richmond/">Twickenham">http://www.met.police.uk/richmond/">Twickenham</a> Police</a> said parents should try and keep an eye on their children while out in public. He said: "We want to make people aware that they have to be vigilant with their children. It was a scary incident."

The man was described as aged about 65, slim with short hair which was grey, nearly white.

He had long side burns and spoke with a soft voice. He wore a maroon anorak and jeans.

A spokesman for Hampton Court Palace said they were aware of the incident and did have security measures in place. She said: "There was a family on the east front who said that this had happened. Our security manager and duty manager took them in and called the police who took statements.

"We would reinforce what the police have said about being vigilant with children. We do have CCTV cameras and wardens covering the grounds but it is a large area.

"We would reinforce the message of the police but we do not want to make people feel that they cannot come down with their families and have a nice day out and take photographs.

"When the incident was recorded our wardens did look through the CCTV cameras for footage of the suspect. We do have security measures in place."

Anyone who can help police with their enquiries should call DC Kevin Ryan of Twickenham on 8247 7034.