ATLANTA - Atlanta Public Schools officials are warning parents and students to be on guard after recent reports of attempted child abductions.

Authorities say four child abduction attempts have been reported near Atlanta schools in the past three weeks.

Atlanta Public Schools spokeswoman Kimberly Willis Green said strangers have recently approached students as they've walked to school or prepared to get on school buses.

Green tells The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that none of the cases have occurred on school property, but the school system is working with Atlanta police to ensure student safety.

Marquenta Sands, director of security for Atlanta Public Schools, said school officials want students to travel in groups and be very alert and aware of their surroundings at all times.