Police alerted after man tries to lure Chorley schoolchildren into van

Parents in Chorley have been alerted after a man tried to lure a young girl into a van yesterday morning (Friday, November 20).
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Police are investigating after the school girl was confronted by a man parked in a van in the Yarrow Bridge pub car park in Bolton Road.

The child had been walking to nearby Albany Academy alone when she was confronted by the stranger, who asked her to approach his van.

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The student ignored the man and rushed to school, where she immediately reported the incident to her teachers.

A schoolgirl was asked to approach a van in the Yarrow Bridge pub car park, close to Albany Academy, in Bolton Road, Chorley yesterday (Friday, November 20). Pic: GoogleA schoolgirl was asked to approach a van in the Yarrow Bridge pub car park, close to Albany Academy, in Bolton Road, Chorley yesterday (Friday, November 20). Pic: Google
A schoolgirl was asked to approach a van in the Yarrow Bridge pub car park, close to Albany Academy, in Bolton Road, Chorley yesterday (Friday, November 20). Pic: Google

The school's deputy headteacher Paul Crowther said it is the second worrying incident this week in the vicinity of Albany Academy and Holy Cross Catholic High School.

Alerting parents to the latest incident, Mr Crowther said: "There was an incident this morning (Friday, November 20) where a student was asked to approach a van in the Yarrow Bridge pub car park.

"The student did not approach, came straight to school and reported the incident.

"The police are investigating.

Albany Academy has informed parents of the worrying encounter yesterday (Friday, November 20) - the latest in a series of incidents where school children have been approached by men in the areaAlbany Academy has informed parents of the worrying encounter yesterday (Friday, November 20) - the latest in a series of incidents where school children have been approached by men in the area
Albany Academy has informed parents of the worrying encounter yesterday (Friday, November 20) - the latest in a series of incidents where school children have been approached by men in the area
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"Please be aware that this is the second incident within recent days in the vicinity of two different schools."

Holy Cross Catholic High School, just half-a-mile away from the scene of the encounter, has also alerted parents and is urging children to avoid walking to and from school alone, if possible.

An alert sent to parents said: "It has been brought to our attention that a man has approached some pupils from another school and tried to lure them away.

"Please would you speak with your children about the importance of staying alert on the way to and from school, and wherever possible, to walk with others (socially distanced or in their year group bubble)?

An alert to parents from Holy Cross Catholic High School in ChorleyAn alert to parents from Holy Cross Catholic High School in Chorley
An alert to parents from Holy Cross Catholic High School in Chorley
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"We will be speaking with all pupils at school about this too."

Following enquiries, detectives arrested a man from Chorley on suspicion of kidnap, but Lancashire Police said its enquiries are "very much on-going".

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Anyone with information should call Chorley CID on 01257 246190 or email 4073@lancashire.pnn.police.uk

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Alternatively, you can call independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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