BREAKING: Man attempted to lure Mansfield schoolgirl into his car

Reports have come from local schools of a man taking photographs of pupils, and in one case asking a girl into his car.
Westbrook Drive in Rainworth, where one of the incidents is said to have occurred yesterday, October 6 (Source: Google).Westbrook Drive in Rainworth, where one of the incidents is said to have occurred yesterday, October 6 (Source: Google).
Westbrook Drive in Rainworth, where one of the incidents is said to have occurred yesterday, October 6 (Source: Google).

We have learned of two separate reports of suspicious activity in the same day (Thursday, October 6) around Mansfield.

Samworth Church Academy put out a safeguarding alert after reports 'at a couple of school's involving a man outside the premises taking photos.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The school said on Facebook: "It has been brought to the Academy's attention that there has been a couple of local schools reporting incidents involving a person in a car taking photographs of students. If you have any concerns please contact Mr Cave on 01623 663461 or Mrs Bassett on 01623 663463..

Python Hill Academy reported to parents after a man allegedly asked a girl into his car in nearby Westbrook Drive.Python Hill Academy reported to parents after a man allegedly asked a girl into his car in nearby Westbrook Drive.
Python Hill Academy reported to parents after a man allegedly asked a girl into his car in nearby Westbrook Drive.

Some parents were in outrage after the public alert.

Becky Clark said on Facebook: "Thanks for putting a safeguarding issue on here to warn us...don't you think it would of been more appropriate to text us and inform us?

"That way I may have been aware of this safeguarding issue of my children three hours sooner?

Caroline Lawrence said: "Good to see the school taking issues seriously for a change. Last year when a man approached my son and we involved the police, the school did and said nothing."

Samworth Church Academy put out an alert on Facebook.Samworth Church Academy put out an alert on Facebook.
Samworth Church Academy put out an alert on Facebook.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The report of an incident yesterday (Thursday, October 6) coincides with a separate report by another school.

Parent Andrea Ruskin received a text stating: "Please be aware man in black car on Westbrook Drive this morning asking child for direction and asking her to get int his car. Incident reported to Police."

She told the Chad: "My thoughts are obviously those of disgust towards anyone targeting kids and hatred. All we can do as parents is be extra vigilant and make sure we do all we can to make sure our children are safe.

There are always going to be horrid people around who target children, we just don't always know or hear about it.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Some are just more sneaky on how they approach kids. So, unfortunately, as parents, you just have to be on alert at all times and constantly remind your children of 'stranger danger'. Parents need to work as a unit to protect their own and others children."

Mrs Knapp, headteacher at Python Hill Primary School said: "We were informed about it by one of our parents and because it's near the school we decided to put a text out to inform our parents."

"It wasn't one of our pupils and we understand the girl involved is a secondary school pupil."

Adam Cavey of Samworth Church Academy's safeguarding team said: "As part of our duty of care, these incidents came to our attention from the local authority and we wanted to alert parents."

There are supposedly other reports around the area but these are as yet unconfirmed.

Related topics: