Schools put on alert over ‘suspicious’ man in cemetery
AWARNING has been sent schools urging staff to remain vigilant following reports of a man ‘acting suspiciously’ near a graveyard.
The man, understood to be in his 60s, was reportedly seen hanging around near Royton Cemetery on Monday evening.
He was wearing a raincoat and carrying a rucksack.
Members of the Oldham School Safe Scheme, run by the council, were informed of the incident by a concerned parent.
An email alert was later sent to all primary and secondary schools in the town, warning staff and asking them to be vigilant.
It is understood parents have been told about the reports by their children’s respective schools.
Town hall bosses said police have also been told.
The cemetery is a short distance from Thorp Primary School.
The man, who was seen at around 6.15pm on Monday, was said to have been wearing a green rain coat and carrying a grey rucksack.
A concerned parent said the man was ‘acting suspiciously’, though further details about what he was doing had not been released.
The email, seen by our sister paper the M.E.N, read: “We have received a message from Oldham School Safe Scheme that a man aged approximately 60 years old, wearing a green rain coat and carrying a grey rucksack was seen acting suspiciously near to Royton Cemetery yesterday [Monday] around 6.15pm.
“We ask that you are vigilant at all times and report anything suspicious to the police.”
A spokesman for Oldham council said a concerned parent had spotted the man and quickly took action.
He said: “A parent had noticed the man who was acting suspiciously.
“The local school was contacted and then an email was sent as part of the School Safe Scheme to all schools in the area.
“The parent was also advised to contact police, which was then followed with a call to Greater Manchester Police.”
GMP has responded to Observer’s request comment. not the for