My worst fear came true
Mum claims men in van tried to take son at school
A terrified mum says her “worst fear came true” when her son was targeted in an alleged abduction attempt outside an East Kilbride primary school.
She claims the 11-year-old was approached by three men in a white van on Dornoch Place, near to Kirktonholme Primary School, last Wednesday afternoon while waiting to be picked up.
The youngster said he was repeatedly told to ‘come here’ and ‘get in’ by the driver but shouted at them to “go away” and said that his mum was coming to pick him up.
He was unharmed but left extremely shaken by the ordeal.
The boy’s mum shared a frantic post on Facebook warning parents to be extra vigilant and appealing for CCTV or dashcam footage of the van in an attempt to get the licence plate number.
She posted: “Just want to warn other parents today after school between 3.03 and 3.10pm there was a white lorry van with three men trying to ask my son to get in at Kirktonholme Primary. After he shouted ‘no my mum’s coming’ they continued to ask then left.
“I’m also asking if anyone saw something or heard something to let me know or anyone who stays nearby that has cameras or ring doorbell or who had a delivery or something from them. Any information would be appreciated.”
Speaking to the EK News she told us she was happy police were taking the matter “seriously”, and said the school was on “high alert” and being “very supportive”.
She said: “I’ve felt sick, it’s my worst fear come to life. My son is so frightened, he’s definitely been scarred mentally by this.
“I’m so proud he did the right thing and told them to go away. He said the incident made his belly hurt.
“Everyone is on edge as it could have been any one of their kids. The school has been great and on high alert, they really care so much about their pupils.”
Commenting on the time it takes her to pick up her son from school, she added: “I could have lost him in seven minutes.”
In the mum’s social media post she said: “Driver was brown skinned, short beard, brown hair, black t-shirt. He didn’t get a good look at one of them and the third was white skinned, blonde hair, white t-shirt.”
It is understood the van sped off in the direction of the College Milton and was seen driving on the wrong side of the road.
CCTV images of a van have since been shared by residents with doorbell cameras.
Cops confirmed they received “a report of concern”, but Police Scotland have not been able to establish any criminality at this time.
Inspector David Doherty said: “We received a report of an incident whereby a van approached a boy in East Kilbride on Wednesday, May 25. Enquiries were carried out and it was established there was nothing untoward. The complainer was fully updated.”
Staff and parents have been made aware of the incident, with police set to visit the school for a safety talk with pupils.
A spokesman for South Lanarkshire Council said: “We are working with police to support the young people in the school, including reinforcing safety messages including Stranger Danger.”
Increased safety measures were put in place at nearby St Kenneth’s Primary after a similar incident in February, 2019.
A nine-year-old boy was approached by a group of men who ordered him to get in a car on West Mains Road, near Kirktonholme Primary, as he made his way home from St Kenneth’s.
Parents and guardians have since been advised to drop children off at the school gates each morning. Previously pupils could be walked through the school playground to their classroom door.
It was hoped the new measure would increase pupil safety and provide reassurance to parents.
At the time the local authority said the ‘Stranger Danger’ message was also being reinforced to pupils at Kirktonholme.