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A ‘stranger danger’ alert has been issued to parents and pupils in and around Longridge.
In a message, seen by Blog Preston, local police are warning pupils to be vigilant after reports of a ‘Black Transit van’ in the town – close to St Wilfrid’s Club – reportedly offering sweets to children from the back of a van.
Lancashire Police said while no incidents had been officially reported local officers had issued the alert via the police’s ‘In The Know’ system. Blog Preston was passed the alert by a number of parents at schools who had received the message which is being circulated by secondary and primary schools in Longridge.
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PCSO Naznin Patel writes in the message: “Just a reminder now that schools have started, we have had teachers from primary and secondary schools along with parents of kids who attend school mention to us that there are reports of men driving a black transit van wearing glasses enticing kids by saying that they have sweets in the back of their van. Kids are then going round to see inside the back of these vans.
“Would you all please be able to remind your children to not accept anything from strangers or even speak to people in the street inside or outside of school time?
“As convincing as it might sound to your children, please reinforce the message as this is something that we have heard happening year after year.
“If you or your children comes across anything suspicious along the lines of this please ring it in on 999. You can also make a note of the registration, time, date and the driver/passenger of the vehicle if you can.”
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