Teenager 'approached by a strange man' as they walked home from school in a Harborough district village

Youngsters and parents in a Harborough village are being warned to be extra vigilant today after a student was “approached” by a strange man as they went home from school.

Staff at Thomas Estley Community College in Broughton Astley have alerted families as well as local primary schools after the worrying incident happened on Friday afternoon (April 30).

The startled teenager is believed to have been spoken to by the man at about 4pm before they ran away and raised the alarm.

The Station Road school, which has about 900 pupils aged from 11-16, have also alerted police.

And police officers are now set to visit Thomas Estley Community College to “offer advice and reassurance” to students as the ‘stranger danger’ warning is issued throughout the area.

Mandi Collins, the school’s principal, told the Harborough Mail this afternoon: “The college was informed over the weekend that one of our students had been approached by a male in a dark blue car when returning home from school on Friday evening.

“Safeguarding and wellbeing are of paramount importance to our college community.

“So we therefore informed parents and local primary schools, as well as the police, with whom we work in close collaboration around any concerns of this nature.”

She added: “We have asked our students and families to exercise extra vigilance on journeys within the local area.

“No further incidents have been reported.

“We will continue to monitor the situation, with the safety and wellbeing of our students at the heart of all we do.”

A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman said: “Police received a call yesterday afternoon (Tuesday 4 May) from a school in Broughton Astley reporting a suspicious incident.

“The report alleges that a teenager was approached by a man in a vehicle in Broughton Astley, around 4pm on Friday (30 April).”

She added: “It's believed the man spoke with the boy briefly before the teenager ran away.

“Local officers have been made aware of the report and will be visiting the school to offer advice and reassurance.

“No other similar incidents have been reported.”