Police bid to calm kidnap fears

Letters urging parents to be vigilant were sent out to parents by High Greave Junior and Infant schools in East Herringthorpe after concerns were raised about incidents in another part of Rotherham on Monday night.

But police said that one incident related to a suspicious vehicle and another had turned out to be false.

Concerns were raised after two schoolgirls reported seeing a man acting suspiciously in a car in the Wingfield area.

It followed claims of an abduction attempt by an 11-year-old boy outside Rockingham Junior and Infant School on November 3 which turned out to be false.

Police said that in the incident on Monday two teenage girls, aged 14 and 15, reported a man in a small blue car behaving suspiciously on Roughwood Road about 8.15pm.

The driver did not speak to the girls, made no attempt to approach the girls and remained within the vehicle at all times.

Officers searched the area concerned, but did not find any vehicles matching the description given.

Safer Neighbourhood Area Inspector Abdul Aziz said: “There are a number of rumours circulating among schoolchildren, parents and local residents that there has been a recent spate of abductions or attempted abductions of children.

“I want to reassure the communities concerned that this is not the case and that recent reports to police have either proved to be false or relate to  suspicious activity of individuals or vehicles, not attempted abductions.

“We would remind parents and children to always take necessary steps to remain safe when travelling to or from school, especially as it gets darker earlier at this time of year.

“If anyone does see any suspicious people or vehicles outside schools, please call the police straight away and if possible, copy the registration number of the vehicle so that officers can check whether that car or van has a legitimate right to be there.

“Anyone with concerns, or would like further information on this issue, can call 101 and arrange to speak to one of their local community officers.”

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