**West Midlands** POLICE are urging parents to reinforce their ‘stranger danger’ messages after an eight -year-old girl was lured away by a man asking for help to find a missing dog. The youngster was in Lockfield Close, Brierley Hill, at 2pm on Saturday afternoon (28 Sept) when she was approached by a man on a bike who struck up a conversation - and then showed her a mobile phone image of a dog he claimed had disappeared. She walked with him to grassland behind Harrison Road and onto the green between Blackthorn Road and Swanfield Road where he touched her inappropriately over her clothing. The girl - who was not physically injured - ran off and reported the incident to her parents who in turn contacted police on 999. It’s understood the man, who spoke with a Black Country accent, is in his mid-20s, around 5ft 6ins tall, with short, straight brown hair, brown eyes and clean shaven; he had a back-pack with him, whilst his bike had a noticeable rear mudguard. Investigating officer, Detective Constable Nadine Harding, is appealing for witnesses. She said: “The young girl has done brilliantly in providing us with information, including detail like the rear mudguard on his bike and that he had a back-pack. “And she did exactly the right thing in running off and telling her parents. She wasn’t injured but she was very upset and no doubt confused at what had happened. “If anyone was in the area at the time - specifically grassland behind Harrison Road - and saw a man on a bike matching the description I’d urge them to contact me on the 101 number. Similarly, if anyone believes they have seen this man in the local area, or has suspicions about who it may be, I’d ask them to call me." And DC Harding urged parents to reiterate their warning messages to children about keeping safe and not walking off with strangers. She added: “Incidents like this are very rare but nonetheless it’s still important parents stress to their children never to go off with strangers no matter how friendly or sincere they appear to be, and no matter what they are saying." Anyone with information is asked to contact the Duty Sergeant at Sandwell and Dudley Police’s Public Protection Unit in West Midlands Police via the 101 number.
Posted on: Wed, 02 Oct 2013 09:45:32 +0000
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