ACT Policing are investigating the third recent incident of a child being followed or approached by a man in a vehicle after a man followed a boy in Yarralumla on Sunday (3 June).
Around 1:30 pm, a boy was riding his bike on Bentham Street, Yarralumla when a man followed him into the drop-off area of a nearby school and then watched the child for some time.
The boy felt threatened and sought assistance from a nearby group of people. The man then drove away.
The boy told his mother of the incident and she contacted police.
This is the third time recently that children have been followed or approached by a man in a South Canberra suburb.
On 23 May, police and education authorities issued a warning to parents after a man approached a primary school student in Carruthers Street, Curtin, and asked the child to come to his grey/silver sedan to see a puppy.
On 25 May, ACT Policing said it had received reports of a man approaching students before and after school in several Woden suburbs. A man approached a secondary school student in the Garran area, this time driving a white sedan.
ACT Policing Superintendent South District Stephen Turnbull said that as a result of these reports, people may notice an increased police presence at some schools.
“We want to stress to parents and guardians the importance of immediately reporting any unusual approaches on 131444 or in the case of emergency 000,” he said.
“It should be noted the vehicle is not always the same and it is a good time to remind your child about what they should do if they are approached by a stranger.”
ACT Policing is working closely with the Education Directorate to reinforce messages around stranger safety in schools. More information on ways to stay safe is available on the Constable Kenny website.
Police are urging anyone who may have any information that could assist police to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website.
Please quote reference 6273088. Information can be provided anonymously.
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