A man allegedly entered the grounds of Taree West Public School and approached three girls - two aged seven and a third girl aged eight – on Monday about 3pm.

Police have been told the man spoke to the girls and put his arm around one of them before leaving the scene in a green or black coloured four-wheel drive.

Two students reported seeing the same man loitering near the female toilet block in the grounds of the school about 1.40pm Wednesday

Police searched the area but were unable to find  the man.

Detectives are looking for the man who has been described as being aged in his 50s with a tanned wrinkly complexion, short chubby build, dark hair, with tattoos of a skull on his arm and a dragon on his leg.

Students, parents and teachers are being urged to remain extra vigilant in the area and report any suspicious behaviour to police immediately via 000.

The school principal has issued addressed the issue and told parents that "teachers have repeated the stranger danger message with all students".

Anyone with information about this incident should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page.

The incident has again prompted police to encourage parents to discuss the ‘Safe People, Safe Places’ messages with their children, including;

► Make sure your parents or another adult you know knows where you are at all times.

► Always walk straight home or to the place you are walking to. Walk near busier roads and streets, or use paths where there are lots of other people.

► Know where safe places are – a shop, service station, police station, library or school. If you are ever frightened, you should go to one of these places and ask them to call the police.

► Learn about safe adults you can look for and talk to if you need help – police officers, teachers at school, adults you know and trust.

► Don’t talk to people you don’t know and never get into a car with someone you don’t know. If a car stops on the side of the road and you don’t know the person inside, do not stop.

► If you are scared and can use a phone, call 000 and tell them you are scared.

► If someone tries to grab you, yell out, ‘Go away, I don’t know you’. This lets other people know you have been approached by someone you don’t know.