Pupils urged not to walk home alone after series of 'worrying' incidents

SCHOOLCHILDREN are being urged not to walk home alone after a series of “worrying” incidents in which pupils were approached by men.

Hounsdown School assistant headteacher Belinda Langley-Bliss has sent out a safety alert letter to parents, saying youngsters will be encouraged to stay in groups.

The first incident, on 23rd November around 4pm, took place at Hounsdown Park on the path leading to some swings. A female student was approached by a man aged between 40 and 60, with shoulder-length slightly curly hair and balding on top. He is described as wearing a red cotton jumper with a blue shirt underneath and black jeans.

On the same day, a male student was left distressed after being approached near Totton leisure centre. The man is described as Asian and driving a silver Vauxhall Astra.

A female student was then followed near to Hazel Wood School as she walked along a pathway on Tuesday. The suspect is described as aged between 16 and 20, dressed all in black with his hood up, and he was riding an orange bike.

Mrs Langley-Bliss wrote in her letter to parents: “We will be encouraging the students to walk home in groups. Please could you speak to your children and remind them of safety measures when they are out and about.”

She confirmed police had been contacted, adding: “We would ask that if your son or daughter is approached, they alert someone immediately.”

A spokesperson for Hampshire Police said no arrests had been made, adding: “We have been carrying out patrols at local schools at start and finish time. This is part of our regular neighbourhood policing work, rather than specifically because of these incidents.”

As reported in last week's A&T, a 12-year-old girl was approached by a man in a van as she walked to Noadswood School in Dibden Purlieu around 8am on 19th November.

The van, described as dark blue and with a dent on the right side of the back door, pulled over and the driver asked her to get inside, but she refused and ran off.

Anyone with information regarding any of the incidents should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.