School warning to pupils after driver incident (From Ledbury Reporter)

School warning to pupils after driver incident

5:20pm Friday 27th April 2012 in News

A SCHOOL says it is taking an incident seriously where a man asked a young girl to get in his car and has warned pupils and parents to stay alert.

Jane Steele, head of Newent Community School, where the 13-year-old is a pupil, said precautions had been taken since the incident on Wednesday, April 18.

We are aware of the incident and we have emailed parents to warn them and spoken to all our students,” she said. “The deputy head has been working with police and the parents and student concerned. We’re greatly relieved that in this case no harm came to the student, but we always take incidents like this seriously.”

The incident took place in Watery Lane at about 3.40pm. A man driving a silver, saloontype car passed her slowly, shouted at her and asked her to get in the car. However she refused and ran off, but later saw the car again in Brookside. The driver is described as white, in his late 20s or early 30s, with a medium-to-large build and broad shoulders. He was unshaven with short dark hair.

“Discuss with your children the importance of not speaking to strangers,” said superintendent Phil Haynes. “Do not listen to rumour but contact police if you see anything suspicious.”

To report any suspicious incidents or for further information, call police on 101, quoting incident 308 of April 18.