Schoolgirl, 11, ‘grabbed by stranger’
PARENTS WARNED AFTER CHILLING VIDEO APPEARS TO SHOW HOODED MAN TARGET CHILD
CHILLING CCTV footage that appears to show a hooded stranger following and grabbing hold of an 11-year-old girl as she walks to school is being investigated by police.
Warnings have been issued to parents by schools in the Blackley area of north Manchester after the incident on Acre Top Road.
The footage shows the girl wearing a pink coat and carrying a rucksack and a plastic bag - walking across Munn Road’s junction with Liverton Drive, in Blackley.
The man, who appears to be wearing a blue jacket, dark trousers and trainers, enters the shot as the girl nears the Acre Top Road junction. His jacket hood is pulled up and his face is concealed.
The girl appears to realise he is behind her as he quickens his pace. She stops near a tree and the man appears to grab her.
The view is momentarily obscured before the girl is seen walking away followed by the man.
A hedgerow blocks the camera’s view again before the girl can be seen running away along Acre Top Drive, still clutching the plastic bag. She was unhurt.
The video was captured on cameras belonging to John Southern, 36, who lives close by. He went through the footage after his wife received a warning email about an incident near his home. According to a letter from Crab Lane Primary School, in Higher Blackley, there had also been a similar incident near Sainsbury’s on Middleton Road, by the Heaton Park roundabout, a day before. Police have not revealed any details of this.
Mr Southern, 36, handed his footage to the police and to the M.E.N.
He said: “It happened outside my door and I have three children. It is a major issue for me.
“I have now spoken to the officers and they are in receipt of the footage. My eldest daughter left for school eight minutes after this happened. Her mum received an email from the school so I checked my CCTV. I just want everyone to be aware.”
Police confirmed an investigation was underway after a schoolgirl was ‘grabbed’ by a stranger on her way to school.
It happened at around 8.30am on Wednesday, January 10, but details only emerged this week.
“The matter was reported to police immediately and the child was able to give a good description,” Crab Lane Primary School headteacher Pat Adams said in a letter home.
“The police have informed us that a similar incident occurred near the Sainsbury’s, by the Heaton Park roundabout, the day before.
“The police suspect that the two incidents are connected, given the short distance between them and the fact that both girls gave a similar description of the man in question.
“Therefore, please take extra precautions to remind your children of ‘stranger danger’ and the importance of being vigilant when on the streets without an adult.”
A slim, white man aged in his 30s with blond hair and a blue jacket is described in the warnings.
Police said no one has been arrested as yet and enquries were continuing. Anyone with information should call 101.