South Glos Council - Appeal for information about man approaching schoolchildren in South Gloucestershire

We have been advised by Avon and Somerset Police to ask parents and children to be aware of a number of incidents in South Gloucestershire where a man in a car has approached schoolchildren and offered them a lift.

The police are appealing for information about three incidents, on Wednesday December 10 at Redwick Road in Pilning at 7.30am, in Greenways Road in Yate at 12.45pm and in Thornbury Road, Thornbury at 4.15pm. In each case a man in a small blue hatchback stopped and asked the children if he could give them a lift.

It is important to stress that none of the children interacted with the suspect and the driver left the scene without committing a crime.

The police believe the three reports may possibly be linked, but at this stage do not think they are connected with similar reports in North Bristol.

They are taking the reports seriously and have increased police patrols in those areas around school start and end times, and have been liaising with schools and other partner agencies.

We and the police are asking parents and children to be aware, never to accept lifts with strangers, and to tell an adult or call police immediately should they be approached.

We would urge anyone with information on these incidents to contact police immediately on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be left anonymously.