Police hunt for man who tried to abduct schoolboy

2:03am Tuesday 20th May 2008

POLICE have released an e-fit image of a man who tried to abduct a child walking home from school.

The man tried to trick an 11-year-old boy into getting into his car, claiming the boy's mother had asked him to collect him.

The boy refused, saying his mother would not do something like that, and ran to a lollipop lady.

Last night, police released this e-fit of the man and appealed for witnesses to come forward.

The boy was walking home from Belmont CE Junior School, in Durham City, when a light blue Ford Fiesta-style car pulled alongside him.

A Durham Police spokeswoman said: "The boy had left school but had to go back because he had left something behind.

"After leaving the school again he walked to an area called The Links when a car drew up beside him.

"The man driving the car rolled down the window and told the boy his mum had asked him to collect him from school.

"He told the man: 'No, she wouldn't do that, she tells me to walk home', and he ran away, to a lollipop lady.

"The boy didn't mention it to the lollipop lady, but the car went off in the direction of Pittington. When he got home, he told his mum.

"He has definitely done the right thing by staying vigilant and reporting it to his mum, and as a matter of course we contacted the three schools in the vicinity because the safety of children is paramount."

The headteachers of Belmont CE Junior School, Belmont Infant School and Belmont Cheveley Park Primary School have written to parents calling for children to stay vigilant.

A spokeswoman for Durham County Council said: "The letters were sent out purely as a precautionary measure following a reported incident.

"All of our schools educate pupils about personal safety.

"They share parents' concerns on matters such as this and work co- operatively with the police."

The man involved is described as being in his mid to late 30s, with blue eyes and short brown hair which was shaved at the sides. He had stubble around his mouth and a mole beneath his left eye.

Anyone with information on the incident, which took place at about 3.20pm on Tuesday, April 29, is asked to call Durham Police, on 0845-60-60-365.

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