Last month The Gazette reported that fear had rippled through the community after the alleged incidents were reported in Paisley, Johnstone and Renfrew.

Parents took to social media site Facebook to express their concerns after a number of warning letters were issued from schools to parents following the alleged child snatching attempts.

However this week Renfrew’s area commander said parents had “nothing to worry” about and assured the public that steps were being taken to make residents feel safer in their communities.

Chief Inspector Simon Wright, 41, said: “We would like to reassure parents that some of the incidents were just a couple of pieces of information that weren’t anything to worry about.

“The police did report a spike in calls round about the time that it was publicised. Enquiries are still ongoing but there hasn’t been any reports since the previous incidents.” The commander hopes his comments will alleviate the fears of concerned parents who had contacted police to report ‘suspicious cars’ in the Renfrewshire area following the scare.

In one incident, a 10-year-old boy from Renfrew had been walking home from school when he was approached by two strangers in a red Fiesta car.

One of the men is said to have tried to encourage the youngster to climb into the car and ‘meet’ the other man.

However, the quick-thinking youngster ran home and reported the incident immediately to his horrified family.

A letter issued on August 29 from head teacher, Mrs Lynne McGinn, stated: “It has been brought to my attention that yesterday on the way home from school one of our children was approached by two men in a Red Fiesta car. One of the men tried to encourage the child to go into the car to meet the other man.

“The child ran home and reported the matter to his family. The Police and Local Authority were contacted immediately.

“Today we have reminded the children to be careful at all times and that they should not speak to or go with strangers. I would also encourage children whenever possible to walk home with a friend or known adult. If parents are aware of any similar incident please contact the school immediately with this information.” The ordeal had sparked fear amongst parents in the Paisley area after reports of another similar incident went viral on social media site Facebook.

Chief inspector Wright continued: “With any types of reports like that we always ensure police presence in the areas reported.

“We will try to use social media to try and get information from these reports as well.” A Renfrewshire Council spokesman said at the time: “Schools regularly issue advice to parents and pupils about personal safety.

“If there has been an incident near a particular school, neighbouring schools are informed and it is often the practice that they will issue their own information bulletin.” Full interview on Chief Inspector Simon Wright’s new role in next week’s Gazette.