The search is on after a schoolgirl was approached on two different occasions by a man with a 'distinctive protruding bottom lip' as she made her way to school.

The secondary school pupil was in London Road, Wallington, near the entrance to Beddington Park on Wednesday September 24 at around 7.30am. She was also approached by the same man, at around the same time, the following day.

On October 6 plain-clothed officers from Sutton police took up positions near the park in an effort to catch the man.

A spokesman for Sutton police said: "The man asked her about her route to school before saying ‘goodbye’.

"The girl did not speak to the man.

"He walked off towards Wallington Green.

"The following day the man started to speak to the girl at the same location at around the same time, but was challenged by a member of the public.

"The man walked away. Again the girl said nothing to the man."

The team later said they took 'the unusual step' of revealing their early morning covert operation in an effort to reassure parents that they were protecting children.

Parks Sergant Gavin Weldon said: "The Safer Parks Teams are well placed to do this kind of work.

"We know the local parks extremely well along with the roads and short cuts around them.

"We also have the flexibility to swop between uniform and plain clothes at short notice and to change our shifts. Although there were no sightings of the suspect whilst we were in the area, further uniformed and plain clothes operations are planned."

Sutton police is asking parents to remain vigilant.

The suspect is described as black, in his late 40s, about 5ft 7in and of slim build. He had 'stubbly' dark hair.

He was wearing a baseball cap, dark jeans and hooded jacket.

Anyone with information should contact Sutton Police station on 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.