Okanagan Mounties have launched an investigation after a group of children were approached by a strange man while near an elementary school.

On Tuesday, around 3 pm, police received a report of the suspicious incident, which happened on 20th Street in Vernon.

According to police, a group of students were walking home from school when they were approached by a man driving a grey pickup truck who stopped and offered them a ride, a news release said.

The students refused and continued walking.

Photo Credit: NowMedia Staff file picture

However, the truck reportedly approached them a second time with the driver, who is described as an older Caucasian man, asking for directions.

When the students pulled out their cell phones, the truck drove away.

The RCMP were notified shortly after the incident and officers patrolled the area but were unable to track down the truck.

Constable Chris Terleski said the RCMP were working with the school district as they investigated the incident.

Police applauded the way the students handled the situation the way they did by sticking together and immediately telling an adult.

“Knowing how to safely interact with strangers is an incredibly important skill for our kids to have,” said Cst. Terleski

“Not only do we need to teach them safety strategies, but we need to remind them on a regular basis so they’re able to recognize and avoid potentially unsafe situations.”