A man has been jailed after several “inappropriate" incidents – one of which saw him follow a young family for 25 minutes and pepper them with questions.

Police were called to reports of Mohammed Khan, 25, approaching children with families around St Albans and trying to engage them in conversation earlier this month.

One incident saw him reportedly follow a father and his young child around the city centre while asking several questions for nearly half an hour.

Another in Victoria Park, which eventually led to his arrest, involved Khan entering a play area and standing next to a child playing in a sandpit.

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Initially he was arrested on suspicion of attempted kidnap, but police concluded “no kidnap attempts were made, but the behaviour was still extremely inappropriate and caused a great deal of distress”.

Khan, of Mayes Road in Wood Green, pleaded guilty to harassment without violence and was sentenced to 10 weeks’ prison.

He was also banned from talking to children and visiting all public parks, children’s play areas or any area predominantly used for children’s activities.

If he breaches the order he can be arrested.

Detective constable Adam Haines said: “Khan’s behaviour caused a great deal of concern among the local community and officers worked quickly to make an arrest and investigate the circumstances around what had happened.”

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