Alert to parents after pupils approached by men in Dudley
Parents have been warned to be on their guard after reports of unknown men approaching school pupils in the Dudley area.
Schools across the borough issued warnings to parents after police received reports of men acting suspiciously near schools in Brierley Hill and Sedgley.
Headteachers sent letters and texts urging parents to remind children about the dangers of talking to strangers and encouraging them to remain vigilant.
A Dormston School pupil was approached in Bilston Street, Sedgley, last Wednesday, according to a text message issued by the school.
The road is just around the corner from the premises.
The text reads: “Safeguarding alert: One of our female pupils was approached in Bilston Street, Sedgley, by an Asian man in his 30s driving a black van.
“He has previously approached young people in Dudley.
“Please remind all children about the dangers posed by strangers.”
Thorns Collegiate Academy, in Brierley Hill, issued a warning on its Facebook page last Friday after reports of a white man approaching a student on Quarry Bank High Street that morning.
Headteacher Manny Kelay said: “Thorns Collegiate Academy takes all safeguarding matters very seriously.
"The warning was sent to all the schools in Dudley and then placed on our social media pages.
"We would ask all of our students and their families to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious behaviour to the police.”
Ruth Wylie, headteacher of Wren's Nest Primary School, confirmed the school had sent out letters to parents – but added West Midlands Police had now informed them that no further crime or incidents had been reported.
Councillor Angus Lees, Dudley Council cabinet member for children’s services, said: “We have spoken to schools and made them aware and have now left the issue in the hands of police.
"I would ask that if people have any information that they share it with police as soon as possible.”
A police spokesman said: “We are aware of several reports of a van seen acting suspiciously in the Sedgley area of Dudley over the past few days.
"At this stage, no crime has been reported.
"Inquiries are on-going to identify the driver and officers are patrolling the area and working with schools to help with inquiries.”
The spokesman said there had been no further reports since September 13.
