Warning over Bristol child snatcher
Parents in Bristol have been warned to be on their guard after two attempts to snatch children from outside Bristol schools.
Parents at Summerhill Junior School, Air Balloon Junior School and at Hanham Abbots Junior School have been warned that a man driving a grey or silver BMW may be a danger to their children.
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The warning comes after a driver tried to lure a 10-year-old boy into a car in Nicholas Lane. There have been other reported sightings of a silver car near schools in Bedminster and St George.
The Evening Post believes he has made at least one other attempt to snatch a child after a letter from Hanham Abbots head teacher Mike Moyne discloses that he had been informed of a second incident.
The letter read: "Dear parents, There was an attempt to abduct a child in the St George area this week; a grey BMW car was involved. I have just been informed this follows an attempt in the area last Thursday.
"The school has repeated the "stranger danger" warnings to children, and you are requested to repeat the warnings too, please. I trust you will agree that it's best if we all work together to underline the seriousness of the incidents.
"If you see anything suspicious please immediately report the matter to police, using the 999 telephone system and keep the school informed."
A parent whose child attends Summerhill Junior School said: "My son goes to Summerhill school and we have just received a letter from the school informing us there has been two attempts to snatch a child, and to look out for a BMW car.
Police urged parents not to be alarmed but to remain alert.
DS Sim Cryer said: "We want parents and teachers to be on the alert and remind their children never to talk to strangers or get into a stranger's car. I would ask the driver of this car to come forward and explain his actions. I also want anyone who sees anyone acting suspiciously around any of our schools to call police immediately on 0845 456 7000. Bristol is a safe place for our children – we just want to make sure it stays that way."
47 Comments
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by Eddie, Greenbank
Sunday, June 28 2009, 12:41PM
“Don't become part of the unhelpful rumour mill. "There have been no [abduction] cases in the Yate, Chipping Sodbury, Staple Hill and Filton areas."
From avonandsomerset.police.uk, accessed 13:00 28 June 09”
by Caroline, Yate
Saturday, June 27 2009, 10:24AM
“When i picked my son up from nursery last nite, i was told that there had been an attemped abduction from a school in the Ridge area of Chipping Sodbury, now i have just rec'd a text about abbotswood. wat is this world coming to. Our childern are not safe anywhere.This is be all over the news....”
by Rich, Bristol
Friday, June 19 2009, 8:28PM
“Whilst I understand Parents fears here, some of the comments here are ridiculous. I like to walk through my local park as it's the quickest way to the paper shop and it's a nice place away from the traffic. The thought that someone might think I'm a pervert because I look creepy or I'm on my own irritates me. Do I have to bring one of my children along to look 'normal'. By all means be on your guard but stop discriminating against anyone who is on their own. As one of the comments says, most molestations are from inside the family. The incidences of child abduction whilst horrific are very very rare.”
by Lisa, Bristol
Friday, June 19 2009, 6:16PM
“I cannot believe some of these comments. Parents have to warn their children about stranger danger yes, but most abuse cases involve someone the child knows. The media have parents too terrified to let their children to lead a normal life. I think they are in cahoots with manufacturers of childrens garden toys. Look at any garden now and it looks like an adventure playground. Parents trying to keep their kids safe, but they also need to be streetwise.”
by claire, bristol
Friday, June 19 2009, 6:08PM
“i would like to thank the bep for bringing this story to my attention, my sons school like many promote walking to school which is a very good idea , but as a working mum i don't have time to walk him to school and then get to work so i normally drop him off at the end of the road so he can walk the last part by himself. i won't be doing that any more. thank's for the info bep.”
by Tina, St Pauls
Friday, June 19 2009, 3:58PM
“B.Bird .. you would be surprised what the human body is capable of under duress. If he covers the mouth, he is most likely to bumble getting them in the car as he is a hand short ... kicking and writhing is the logical thing then.
Basically anything that can attract attention is needed .. these people work in secret, make their "job" as difficult as possible. This is what i taught my daughter.”
by Bristol Bird, Bristol
Friday, June 19 2009, 3:48PM
“Tina, if a grown man is intent on grabbing a small child, I would have thought that a child screaming would be the first thing he thought of so therefore he would wither cover a childs mouth or have him/her so quick in his casr that the child wouldnt have time to scream!”
by Tina, St Pauls
Friday, June 19 2009, 3:46PM
“Bristol Bird .... "it doesnt matter what you tell a child about someone approaching, how the hell is a little person going to manage if a grown man tries to abduct him" ..... Scream at the top of their lungs maybe ?! Attract as much attention as humanly possible. Nothing like a child's paniced scream to push all the buttons available in a parent.”
by Bristol Bird, Bristol
Friday, June 19 2009, 3:43PM
“Pogo the Clown. Your very childish - thats not an assumption!”
by lesley, bristol
Friday, June 19 2009, 3:40PM
“Your very childish. I pity your kids if you do have them.”