Alert over abduction attempts at schools

Stranger danger alerts remained in place outside several Solihull schools this week.

Teachers, parents and pupils have been urged to be vigilant and on alert for anyone behaving suspiciously.

Police patrols have also been increased.

It follows abduction attempts near to schools and nurseries in Solihull and Birmingham.

West Midlands Police said they were investigating two attempted abductions and had stepped up patrols around St Alphege Junior School, in Solihull and Osborne Nursery in Erdington.

In the latest incident, a girl, aged seven, was asked to get into a car near to St Alphege, in Widney Manor Road, at about 4.30pm on Monday 10th March.

The frightened youngster refused and ran off back into school.

The alarming episode prompted Solihull Borough Council to send warning letters to all schools in the area. A council spokesman said: “Parents and staff at the school were informed and we have sent letters to all schools warning of stranger danger.”

Langley School, in Solihull, also highlighted the incident in a letter sent to parents.

The letter said: “Whilst not wishing to alarm you unnecessarily, we thought you would appreciate hearing this and would ask that you reinforce with your child the need to be alert to their own personal safety when travelling to and from school.”

In the second incident, a man tried to grab a child in Short Heath Road, Erdington, as they walked home from nursery with their mum on Wednesday 5th March.

The suspect was Asian, in his late teens to early 20s, of slim build with short dark hair.

A police spokesman said: “Police are investigating after a seven-year-old girl was asked by a man to get into his vehicle on Widney Manor Road.

“Police are also aware of a man acting suspiciously on Short Heath Road.

“Police patrols have been increased in both areas and officers are working with schools to reassure parents.”

Read the full story here: http://www.solihullnews.net/news/local-news/alert-over-abduction-attempts-solihull-6870644.