POLICE have reassured parents in Barrow following a number of reports of child abduction attempts.

Officers issued a warning to parents last week after a second incident involving a man attempting to lure a child into his car with the promise of an ice-cream.

The first incident happened at around 6.25pm last Monday when Abbie Dougan's nine-year-old daughter Jamie-Leigh was approached by a man in a silver car who asked her if she wanted an ice cream. Jamie-Leigh ran home and told her mother, who reported the incident to police.

Then last Wednesday night, at around the same time, a seven-year-old boy witnessed a man, again in a silver car, offering an ice-cream to a young boy in Island Road, not far from the first incident.

READ MORE: Police warn parents after second report of child abduction attempt

CCTV footage from the Co-Op in Island Road is being examined by police in a bid to track down the suspect. The man has been described as white, aged around 50 and with grey or blonde short hair and wearing a grey jumper.


Sergeant Andy Smith, of Barrow police, said officers were continuing to investigate the reports.

He said: "We take all reports seriously and a police officer will always attend and speak with a child who makes such a report with a family member present.

"Although worrying, cases like this are extremely rare, however we always promote caution and at this time, with it being the school holidays, it is imperative parents promote stranger danger."

A number of other reports have been made to police following the publicity of last week's incidents, although these are understood to have been discounted.