Stranger danger alert after girl invited to 'hop in' car

by Lisa Reeves

Thursday 29^th January 2015

Thu 29^th Jan 2015

Parents are being urged to be extra vigilant following an incident outside a Wilmslow primary school this morning.

A dark-haired man in a blue car pulled alongside a pre-school age child who was dropping a sibling off at St Anne's Fulshaw CE Primary School on Nursery Lane.

He wound down his window and encouraged her to 'hop in'. The mum was alerted to the issue and the man drove off.

The incident was reported to the police and other local schools were also notified.

Ms Clare Daniel, Headteacher at St Anne's Fulshaw CE Primary School said "We will address this today with the children at an age appropriate level in each class."

She added "We operate an information sharing system with our other local schools who have been informed of this incident so they can alert their parents too."

Updated: 31st January 12noon

Speaking about the incident Sgt Andy Miller said "This matter has been reported to the police and has been investigated. At this stage we can only advise that parents are vigilant and report any suspicious incidents by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency.

"We appreciate that parents and teachers are feeling quite anxious so we are planning on conducting some "Stranger Danger" talks at some of our local schools this coming week. In the meantime we will do our best to patrol the numerous schools at drop off and pick up times to reassure the local community "

Tags:: St Anne's Fulshaw Primary School

Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Meryl Spencer

Thursday 29^th January 2015 at 5:11 pm

Be vigilant, it has been happening at primary schools in Bramhall all this week. 2 Year 4/5 boys were targeted. Report anything strange, get car number plate.

Justin Handby

Thursday 29^th January 2015 at 8:03 pm

And still no police presence at the local schools during drop off times? This has been happening nearby for a while, there needs to be a deterrant clearly visible.

Stuart Redgard

Friday 30^th January 2015 at 12:41 am

Justin

Please don't take offence at what I am about to say. It's just meant to see this issue from another perspective and not meant to offend.

There are 19 “school's / nurseries” on 17 different sites in the area covered by Wilmslow Police Station.

Is it practical to expect the police to attend each site every day and for how long?

Do they physically have the manpower and resources to do this and if not why not.

May be you can take this up with either John Dwyer the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire or Simon Byrne at Cheshire Constabulary of even our MP George Osborne.

Oliver Romain

Friday 30^th January 2015 at 11:16 am

This is very worrying, however, police presence at every school is not practical. Children are taught about 'stranger danger' in nursery and primary schools and it appears that this child may have taken the correct action even though she was pre-school age.

Its worth reminding children about stranger danger and especially strangers in cars. Its American but still a useful video to show school age children who may walk to school alone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAjSyNlqlfw

Terry Roeves

Friday 30^th January 2015 at 12:57 pm

Police attendance is the norm at nurseries, infant and junior schools in New Jersey where our g'daughter attends. We know of the horrors experienced across the USA, but at times when there is a threat here, it's only natural to expect a strong police presence. We should not wait until there is a child missing.

Lisa Reeves

Saturday 31^st January 2015 at 11:47 am

The article has been updated as Sgt Miller has confirmed that the police will be conducting some "Stranger Danger" talks at some of local schools this coming week and doing their best to patrol the numerous schools at drop off and pick up times.

Saturday 31^st January 2015 at 2:24 pm

Good response from Sgt Miller in relation to the talks in schools, but concerned he says it 'has been investigated' which appears to indicate the force has quite quickly drawn a blank.

Does anyone know if they have canvassed for other witnesses at the school gate already? That might also be a good use or resources.

Janice Bennett

Saturday 31^st January 2015 at 2:47 pm

Lets not point the finger at the police... although police presence is reassuring, this bloke/couple are obviously scared off when an adult approaches them. We all need to be vigilant, Its about being part of a community that look after each other. My daughter goes to school at st annes and it made me feel sick when i heard the news. I have every faith in all the parents and teachers to intervene if they thought a child was in danger, they wouldnt stand back and expect someone else to take responsibility...united we stand and all that!

David Nelson

Thursday 5^th February 2015 at 9:25 am

Could the governors or head ask for a rota of volunteers , who drop their children off, to monitor the activities at and near the school gate for a period?. High viz and such presence might help to deter any prowler.