Police warn infant schools of lunch break stranger (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Police warn infant schools of lunch break stranger

INFANT schools throughout the Cirencester area have been warned of a man trying to lure children away during their lunch break.

Police Inspector Mike Jacka told the Standard on Tuesday: "This man's actions obviously give grave cause for concern."

The man, said to be white and aged between 50 and 70, approached children at a school in the town a week ago, asked for their names and addresses, and offered some of them sweets to go home with him.

A police spokesman refused to name the school involved but said a warning had gone out to staff at all 11 infant schools in and around the town.

"The man is said to have gone up to the school boundary where he spoke to a number of children during their lunch break," he said.

"He made no attempt to approach the children, other than to talk to them, but we are obviously concerned about his actions."

The incident was not witnessed by staff but came to light when one of the children told his parents about the man.

He is described as being bald on top, with white or grey hair at the sides of his head. It's possible he may have been wearing glasses.

At the time of the incident, on Thursday of last week, he was wearing a long-sleeved, checked shirt and grey trousers.

Inspector Jacka said : "At this time we have no idea what the man's motive was for approaching these children but his actions obviously give grave cause for concern.

"We are making sure all schools have made children aware of the police advice about 'Stranger Danger,' and are also asking for anyone with information about this man to give us a call."

Cirencester CID can be contacted on 0845-090-1234, or an anonymous call can be made to the Crimestoppers number, 0800-555111.