Last updated at 16:47, Thursday, 07 March 2013

PARENTS are being told not to worry after two suspicious incidents in which men approached young children.

In the latest incident, two men tried to beckon an eight-year-old boy over to their 4x4 in Anson Street, Barrow, on Tuesday at about 7.30pm.

On February 24, police were alerted after a man approached two girls in a playground near the same street and offered them sweets.

However, Barrow Inspector Ian McClymont said there was usually an innocent explanation for such incidents.

“It falls within the stereotype of a predatory abductor, but it is a matter of perception,” he said.

“There is probably an innocent explanation for this, but if we can identify the people in the car in question, that would be fantastic.”

However, he said such incidents should still be reported to the police.

Wendie Thompson, 42, who works as a teaching assistant at St James C of E Junior School near where the incidents occurred, said it was important parents in the area were aware of them.

“There are quite a lot of vulnerable children in the area,” said Mrs Thompson, who lives in Milton Street with her 13-year-old daughter Rebecca.

“I hope it was innocent, but in this day and age, talking to any child that isn’t yours has got to be looked upon warily.”

Police said the driver of the car involved in the incident on Tuesday was in his 50s, with grey hair and a bald patch, while the front seat passenger was 24 or 25 and wearing a light grey Adidas tracksuit.

First published at 16:26, Thursday, 07 March 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk