Police step up patrols after 13-year-old girl is approached by suspicious man in Waterlooville

The teenager, who is a pupil at Oaklands Catholic School, reported to police that she was walking along Stakes Hill Road, Waterlooville when a white Volkswagen van pulled up alongside her at around 4.10pm on Tuesday afternoon.

The driver offered her a lift and when she said no, the van drove off. Police have confirmed that there was no physical contact during the suspicious incident.

Crookhorn Community College, which is closed to Oaklands, put out a statement to parents asking them to be vigilant.

The driver is described as being a white man, of stocky build with brown hair and a long beard.

Hampshire Constabulary said in a statement that they are keen to speak to the driver of the van to establish the exact circumstances of the incident.

The statement reads: ‘We take all reports of this nature seriously and as a result we have stepped up patrols in the area during the times when students are going to and leaving school.

‘We have also spoken to local schools and reminded them that this is a useful opportunity to remind parents to talk to their children about stranger danger and we would advise parents and children to exercise the usual precautions with their safety as they always would.’

If you have any information relating to the incident, please contact police on 101, quoting crime reference number 44160366047.