‘Statement’ Circulated Urging Vigilance After ‘Potential Abduction Attempts’

A warning has been circulated online over a possible child abduction attempt, with a request that people are extra vigilant when taking or collecting children to and from school.

UPDATE: Wrexham Council have confirmed to us that the statement is genuine and has been circulated to all headteachers.

Original information from yesterday… 

A confirmed incident took place near Weston Rhyn, by Chirk, on Thursday. It is believed a man in a black car called out to a 11 year old child and claimed that he had been asked to pick him up by a parent – a claim that was false.

Police confirmed they are investigating a second incident after a 13 year old girl had a similar approach by a male in a black car in an incident in Oswestry yesterday.

One school in Baschurch has issued advice last week advising that students do not walk to or from school alone.

Late this afternoon a statement purportedly from the Head of Education at Wrexham Council has been circulating on social media.

This statement does not appear on Wrexham Council’s website, or their social media, nor has been circulated to us directly – and currently has surfaced only on Froncysyllte and Pentre school’s facebook pages so far that we can see.

“It has come to my attention that there have been at least two incidences of potential child abduction near schools in the Weston Rhyn and Oswestry areas during the past few days. Both incidents have occurred around school opening and closure times and involved a black van.

“Schools and parents are advised to be extra vigilant when taking or collecting children to and from school.”

“Please can we ask all parents to make sure wherever possible children are escorted to school. We will not release any child if we are unsure of who is collecting them. Any requests for children walking home or to school should be in writing. Thank you for your support.”

There has been no warnings issued by North Wales Police.

Thanks to Sarah who has pointed us to this update from Chirk school on twitter last week, who also apparently sent letters home with pupils:

Please remind your children about stranger danger following reports of an attempted abduction in the Gobowen/Weston Rhyn area.#staysafe

— Ysgol Y Waun (@YWaunChirk) October 14, 2016

We hope to get further details in the morning.