PUPILS have been advised to keep an eye out for people 'acting strangely' in the vicinity of their secondary school.

Matthew Arnold School in Botley mentioned the warning in its online news bulletin this week.

Although Oxfordshire's state schools are currently closed for half term, the newsletter has been circulated ahead of pupils' return next week.

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The letter said: "On your journeys to and from school, or over the weekend and half term, if you use footpaths and private roads around the vicinity of school, please be vigilant and mindful of people you might come across who may be acting strangely.

"If you do see something out of the ordinary, please report it to an adult."

The letter did not state if a specific incident had prompted the advice.

The school was contacted for further information and clarified that the message is a 'general safeguarding message that we give out regularly, in particular when nights and mornings are still dark'.

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It is not the first time this year that pupils have been warned about their safety on the way to and from school.

Last month, St Gregory the Great Catholic School in Oxford notified parents about the footpath running behind the school leading to Boundary Brook Road.

An email sent to parents said Larkrise Primary School nearby had filed a report with police, after a Year 6 child was 'approached by an unknown adult' while riding their bike along the path.

No further details were provided about the incident.