A couple in their 60s approached a young boy walking with a puppy in Ipswich and asked whether their pets could be “boyfriend and girlfriend”.

The 13-year-old boy was near to the allotments in Sidegate Lane West at around 5.15pm on Wednesday when the man and woman approached in a grey convertible car.

“The man, who remained in the car, asked the boy if they could see his dog while the woman got out and told the boy they had a similar animal,” a police spokesman said. “She then suggested meeting in a park the next day with the two dogs who could be ‘boyfriend and girlfriend’.”

The woman then asked the boy for his name and address before getting back into the car and driving off with the man towards Rushmere Hall Primary School.

The man and woman are both described as white, aged in their 60s, wearing “tidy summer-type clothing”, and with English accents.

The woman is described as having grey/yellow hair.

“The boy was unhurt in the incident,” the spokesman added.

Anyone who witnessed the alleged accosting or has further information should contact police on 101, quoting crime reference number 37/26831/18. Alternatively call the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.