Parents are warned over suspicious behaviour reports
PARENTS have been put on guard following a number of reports of children being followed or encouraged to get into vehicles.
One worried mum told the Free Press that three young boys - including two of her sons - were approached by a couple in a car. And two schools have contacted parents over separate reports of suspicious behaviour.
Police have called for vigilance, but say stories can become exaggerated.
STUART PIKE
PARENTS have been put on guard after reports of people attempting to follow children or entice them into vehicles.
One worried mum said three young boys – including two of her sons – were approached by a couple in a car while playing outside their home.
It comes after two schools – Haslingden High and Broadway Primary – contacted parents over separate reports that a youngster had been followed and another had been encouraged to get into a car.
Lancashire Police said they are aware of separate reports of suspicious behaviour in the Rossendale area but there is nothing to suggest a link, and each is being investigated separately.
The mum, who wished to remain anonymous, said a car slowed down ●● Broadway Crescent, Haslingden outside her home in Helmshore and spoke to a group of young boys at around 2pm on Saturday, January 5.
She said: “They said ‘Alright boys, do you want to get in?’ It was a nice sunny day and they were playing outside their home. It’s the safety of my children and other children. It scared me. They were walking home before, but now they get picked up. I’m going to do that until these rumours are sorted out.”
The parent was given a crime incident number but says the police have not been back to look at neighbours’ CCTV or get a statement.
Another parent posted a warning on Facebook following a separate, alleged incident on Tuesday, January 29.
He wrote: “Please be careful out and about as there is someone in a van approaching youngsters and telling them to get in the van. Just had to report this as it has happened to my son and two of his female friends on Broadway Crescent around half six tonight.”
Haslingden High School deputy head Russell Clarke emailed parents on January 10 in response to a Facebook post suggesting a girl had been followed by a man on her way home.
It read: “The police are looking into the matter. These messages are helpful in raising awareness but it is often inevitable that they can also cause concern. Please can I take this opportunity to ask all parents to continue to speak to their children about keeping themselves safe when travelling to and from school and also whilst out and about in the evening and on weekends.”
Broadway Primary sent a text message to parents on the morning of Tuesday, January 29.
It stated: “Just to make parents aware that a man has been spotted trying to entice a child into his car locally. We have discussed this with the KS2 children in assembly.”
A police spokesperson said: “We understand people are understandably alarmed and concerned by reports of this nature.
“We would like to reassure people that we take all reports of suspicious behaviour extremely seriously and would encourage people to inform the police immediately. All reports are assessed and investigated thoroughly to establish the full facts and gather any potential evidence.
“As is sometimes the case when people start to POLICE are appealing for help locating a man who is wanted in relation to a gunshot in Haslingden.
Raheel Khan, 26, is wanted in connection with the incident which occurred on May 7, 2017 at around 1.10am, when a firearm was discharged at a property on Beaconsfield Street. Nobody was hurt during the incident.
Khan, from Shipley, was originally arrested in connection with the incident but released under investigation.
In a statement, Lancashire Police said: “We haven’t been able to make contact with him since and are asking that anyone who sees him or knows where he may be does not approach him, but contact us as soon as possible.”
DC Cathy Robertshaw, of Lancashire’s Force Major Investigation Team, said: “We want to locate Khan as soon as possible, and are urging anybody with information about where he might be to get in touch.
“We would like to make talk about such incidents, stories are confused and added to as they are passed on, without any malicious intent, and after the story has been retold a few times it can become exaggerated.
“It is really important that people remain vigilant and report first hand instances of suspicious behaviour to the police on 101 or 999 in an emergency situation.”
A Lancashire County Council spokesperson said: “Safety is of paramount importance and schools in the area often remind parents and children about Stranger Danger.” ●● Raheel Khan, 26 it clear that members of the public should not approach him, but should contact us straight away to pass on any information.”
Khan is described as Asian, around 6ft tall, of medium build, with short, black hair and brown eyes.
He also goes by the aliases Mirza Bilal, Mohammed Bilal, Raheel Khalid and Shoaib Khan. He has links to the Bradford area.
Anybody with information is asked to contact police on 101 or email forcecontrolroom@ lancashire.pnn.police.uk, quoting log number 105 of May 7, 2017.