Schools alert over 'attempted child snatch' was false alarm, say police

REPORTS that a driver tried to snatch a child in Bransgore were a false alarm, according to Hampshire police.

Highcliffe School had issued a warning to parents after one of its pupils was invited by a motorist to get into his car at 3.30pm last Friday.

It was said the incident happened just past the postbox at the junction of Lyndhurst Road and Croft Road and the man was at the wheel of a silver Jaguar.

However, when contacted by the A&T, a Hampshire police spokesman said while an incident did happen, the force was not treating it as an attempted abduction.

He said a report was made to the force at 1.27am on Saturday 7th September.

“It was reported that a car, which was driven by a man and had a boy in the front passenger seat, pulled up alongside a girl on Waterditch Road and offered her a lift.

“The girl declined and the car drove off,” he said.

The spokesman added that because of the school’s concern, neighbourhood officers will conduct follow-up enquiries.

The warning had been issued by Highcliffe School to parents of its pupils via text message, while Bransgore Primary School also posted it on its website.

The message stated: “The school has been in contact today with Hampshire police, who have asked us to pass the following information on.

“It has come to our attention that a school child was approached last Friday in the Bransgore area and invited to get into a car. Please can parents ensure that you update your child on being vigilant when approached by strangers.

“This has been reported to the police who are looking into the matter so if you have any suspicions please report directly to them.”