TWO girls were targeted by a man who attempted to lure them into his car.

The 12-year-old pupils were on their way to Holmfirth High School when a man stopped them.

He asked the girls if they wanted a lift in a bid to lure them into his van as he drove slowly past.

But the girls ran off to school and alerted the police, who are now appealing for information.

The mother of one of the girls said: “My daughter was on her way to school on Thursday with a friend when a man in a white flat back pick-up truck asked them if they wanted a lift to school.

“She’s seen him a few times driving around but doesn’t know who he is.

“It is strange he was talking to them and trying to get them into the back of his truck, which is illegal itself as it’s open.

“Luckily they are too sensible and wouldn’t accept a lift from someone they don’t know.

“They felt scared but did the right thing getting away.

“I was told the school knew about this man but I do think the parents should have been alerted about a strange man hanging around.

“As a parent it is a concern and I want to know to be on the lookout.”

The girls got to school where a teacher called the police and the girls were interviewed.

The mother walked her daughter to school the following day to make sure she got there safely.

But she saw no sight of the man.

The unknown man was driving a white van and had an Alsatian dog in the back at the time of the incident which happened at about 8.30am on Thursday, May 15, near to Netherthong Primary School on School Street.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: “No arrests have been made but the neighbourhood policing teams have been alerted and we are gathering intelligence about this incident.

“The school have been told to inform the police if the problem escalates.

“Clearly, the circumstances suggest there was inappropriate behaviour.

“We are aware of it and are stepping up patrols in that particular area.

“I would encourage anybody who saw the incident or has information to contact the neighbourhood policing team.”