Warning issued after two schoolgirls were followed by a van driver as they walked to a secondary school in Harborough

Two schoolgirls were followed by a van driver as they walked to a secondary school in Market Harborough.

A stranger danger alert has now been issued in the town after the youngsters raised the alarm when they got to Welland Park Academy.

The man in the van stopped beside one of the girls and stared at her near Longleat Close on the Ashley Way estate just after 8am on Monday morning (November 16).

He then drove beside the girl and a friend who had joined her in the meantime on Sandringham Way.

The two friends spotted the white van driver, who was white and had dark hair, twice more as they approached Welland Park Academy on Welland Park Road.

The girls are said to have been left shocked by the incident, which has been reported to police.

Julie McBrearty, the principal at the 960-student school, told the Harborough Mail: “We conduct a risk assessment based on the information that we are given.

“We usually contact the police or ask the parents to contact them.

“There is a well-established relationship between our pastoral team and the Police Community Support Officers.”

The incident comes after a Year 10 girl was shadowed by a middle-aged man as she walked to Welland Park Academy on Tuesday October 27.

The youngster, who is aged 14 or 15, was pursued by the man, who was wearing a black hoodie, for quite a distance.

Julie said at the time: “We have shared this report with every other school in Market Harborough.

“They are also urging their students to be aware of this incident and to act accordingly.

“We can also share any intelligence with our fellow schools about any other similar incidents which have happened.

“At the moment it’s a one-off incident as far as we are concerned – but we have told the police about it.

“We are not linking it to any other recent reports.

“We have also obviously shared this information with all of our staff here.

“We always have staff on the gates here both mornings and afternoons helping to watch out for and keep an eye on all of our students.

“Their safety and well being are paramount to us at all times,” said Julie.

The man who followed the Year 10 student was said to be white, aged 40-50 and about 5ft 9ins tall.

He was wearing grey baggy joggers, a black hoodie and a grey and black neck snood.