Several reports of children being approached by strangers have led to a warning being issued by an Isle of Wight primary school this morning (Monday).
According to a message sent to parents and carers of pupils at Carisbrooke C of E Primary School, a woman driving a black Ford van wound down her vehicle window and offered a child some sweets on Friday (7th May). The woman was not known to the child.
Sensibly, the child in question declined the offer and walked away from the incident which has since been reported to the police.
The school has since issued a warning via email for children and their carers to be vigilant in the areas surrounding the school. It read:
“Further to a message we issued recently regarding stranger awareness for children walking home, we have received a further report from a parent of a child in our own school about strangers approaching children in the area.”
It comes just weeks after an unknown man approached a young boy in Newport’s Caesers Road offering him sweets, as first reported by Island Echo.
UPDATED @ 13:14 – Hampshire Constabulary has issued a statement regarding the incident.
A Hampshire Constabulary spokesperson said:
“We can confirm that we received a report at 3.17pm on 7 May of a child being approached by a black Transit van in suspicious circumstances in the Carisbrooke area.
“The caller was given advice by the police, and details of this incident have been raised to the local Neighbourhoods Policing Team for awareness.
“Police were also previously notified of a similar incident in Caesars Road, Newport, on 22 April, and patrols have been increased in the surrounding areas.
“We encourage anyone who witnesses suspicious behaviour in their area to report this to police on 101.”
Maybe a good idea to alert all schools on the island , doesn’t mean they would stay in one area .This is very concerning who else could there of been in the van ? It could be connected to the last incident with a man and a car ,and they could think a woman offering sweets might be more trusted by a child . No one in their right mind would offer a child they don’t know sweets , there’s no way it’s to be kind ,Stranger danger comes into mind again .
Hi I hope the child and parents are ok… must of been very worrying for those involved. Well done to the child for saying now and reporting it. What is wrong with people these days
Considering the first incident was in Caesars red and the second was by Carisbrooke primary both places are very close to each other meaning this is more than likely connected, and a black transit van bags the question of who was in the back? Until these people are caught school staff need to be placed outside the school whilst children and parents are leaving the school site also Local neighbourhood policing teams need to be patrolling the area as schools finish. These people need to be caught ASAP. Everyone keep your eyes peeled!