Warning to Oswestry parents after second attempted child abduction report in a week
Police in Oswestry are investigating a second possible abduction attempt, prompting warnings to parents not to let their children walk to and from school alone.
The latest reported incident happened on a residential street in the town, a few miles from the village of Weston Rhyn, where an 11-year-old was approached last week.
Yesterday a 13-year-old girl was was approached by a man in a black vehicle just before 8am in Longueville Drive in eastern Oswestry.
Detective Inspector Mark Jones from Shrewsbury CID said: "As she approached the junction of Aston Way, a small black van pulled up next to her and the driver told her to get into the van.
"The girl ran away from the scene. The male did not leave the vehicle and the girl was not injured or physically touched in any way."
The driver is described a white man in his 20s of a medium build, with dark brown hair and slight stubble. He was described as having blue eyes, was wearing a short-sleeved black shirt and spoke with a slight Liverpool accent. He was thought to be the only person in the vehicle.
The vehicle is described as a black van with blacked out rear windows and black tape or a bag covering the registration plates.
Inspector Jones said: "We understand this is a concerning incident for the community and we are working hard to investigate and understand the full circumstances. We have liaised with local schools and parents and we want to reassure the wider community that there will be increased patrols in the area."
Last Wednesday detectives said they had received reports of a "suspicious incident" involving an 11-year-old boy walking home from the school bus in Weston Rhyn just before 4pm.
Officers said the boy shouted "no" to the man and ran home, with the black Renault Clio seen to drive off in the direction of Trehowell Lane in Weston Rhyn.
"We are keeping an open mind on whether this is linked to any previous incidents and we are conducting a full and thorough investigation," Inspector Jones said.
"If anyone witnessed the incident or saw any suspicious behaviour in the area, please call 101 quoting incident number 526 of 18 October 2016."
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org
Following yesterday's incident the Kidzone nursery in Cabin Lane, Oswestry, released a message that said: "Parents/carers please be extra vigilant as there was a possible attempted abduction this morning (Tues) at 7.55am in Longueville Drive. The man in question is described as white, short dark hair, wearing a black short sleeved top and had an English accent, he was driving a black van with tinted windows and the number registration was BLACKED out. Parents please be on your guard."
Parents of children at Holy Trinity primary school were told: "Following on from our warning on Friday regarding the attempted abduction of a child the Headteacher has this evening been informed by local police of another attempt closer to our school catchment area.
"Local police suggest that parents do not let their children walk to and from school alone. Therefore we as a school are advising all parents/carers to escort your child/ren to and from school."
