Marlborough parents and children are being given a ‘stranger danger’ reminder after two reports of secondary school girls being approached by strangers.
The first incident happened last Thursday, February 4 when a man in a blue saloon car pulled up alongside a schoolgirl, who was walking to school near Marlborough High Street, and offered her a lift.
After refusing his offer, the man drove off. The driver is described as his late 30s, having short dark brown spikey hair, and clean shaven.
Later on the same day, a blue car, believed to be a VW Passat, driven by a white male, was seen moving slowly along the A346 at Ogbourne Maizey.
As the car went past, the driver appeared to be watching a schoolgirl who had just got off a school bus. The man was described as; in his 30s, with light hair. He was also smoking.
Marlborough police’s area sergeant Richard Barratt said: ”No one has been injured and there has been no attempt to get the young people in the car. Nonetheless, we want to remind children to stay safe and report anything suspicious to the police.”
Police have issued the following advice for parents and children:
1. Discuss the issues of strangers and their associated danger with your children. Parents must monitor their own fear and be careful not to alarm their children.
2. Be aware of specific ploys used by strangers. Teach children not to help strangers look for lost puppies, accept gifts or sweets, or get in a car with someone they do not know – or even someone they do know, if the journey is not planned.
3.After talking to children, it is important to ask them what they heard. This allows parents to correct misinformation and determine what needs to be reviewed or discussed differently.
4.Make sure children know who, when, where and how to get help. For example, they should know their name, address, and phone number; how to phone the police, who will pick them up from school each day and what after school activities are planned.
Serious accident closes Swindon-to-Marlborough road
