Police step up patrols around Hampshire primary school after 'suspicious' man in car approaches child
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The incident took place on Thursday morning in St Vigor Way while the youngster was walking to Colden Common Primary School.
The man reportedly slowed his car and tried to offer the child ‘a gift’, a statement from the school said, before driving off.
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Parents have since been warned to be ‘vigilant’, with the Upper Moors Road school saying in a statement it had requested extra PCSO presence from Hampshire Constabulary.
In a message to parents, reported by the Hampshire Chronicle, the school said: ‘We were alerted to an incident in which a man in a blue car pulled up beside a child walking to school and tried to offer the child a gift.‘The parent/carer, who was walking in front of the child, called the child way and the man drove off. The police have been notified.’
Hampshire police confirmed it had received a report about a ‘suspicious incident’ near the school and that it had ‘liaised with school and patrolled the area’.
A police spokesman added: ‘It was reported to police that at around 8.25am, a car slowed down and the driver offered a child a pencil.
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Hide Ad‘The child was called away by a parent and the car subsequently drove off.’
People who witness suspicious behaviour are urged to call police on 101 or dial 999 if a crime is in progress of someone is in danger.