Police alerted after man tries to lure Chorley schoolchildren into van
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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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Hide AdThe student ignored the man and rushed to school, where she immediately reported the incident to her teachers.
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.
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Hide Ad"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)?
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Hide Ad"We will be speaking with all pupils at school about this too."
In September, a man from Chorley was arrested after a student was lured into woodlands near Holy Cross and forced to remove her clothing.
Following enquiries, detectives arrested a man from Chorley on suspicion of kidnap, but Lancashire Police said its enquiries are "very much on-going".
Anyone with information should call Chorley CID on 01257 246190 or email 4073@lancashire.pnn.police.uk
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Hide AdAlternatively, you can call independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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