Bridgend Officers Urge Residents To Be On Guard After Children Approached By Strangers In Vehicles

Bridgend police officers are urging residents in the Broadlands area to be vigilant following suspicious incidents in which children were approached by strangers in vehicles.

On September 1, a teenage girl reported that she had been asked to get into a white van by a man while she was walking along Blandy Road shortly after 6.30pm. She refused to get in the van and called the police.

The suspect is described as a white man, aged between 20-30, of medium build with a dark beard and dark hair.

On Saturday, September 8, a teenage girl said a man in a car was driving slowly behind her while she was out jogging in the Broadlands area, shortly before 12pm.

The driver of the car did not speak to her and she called a friend to take her home. The car is described as grey and small – possibly a Hyundai i10.

Local Policing Inspector Ross Crutcher said:

“The public are understandably concerned about incidents of this nature but I want to reassure them that all of the reports are being thoroughly investigated. Enquiries are ongoing into the incidents and officers as well as PCSOs have been carrying out high-visibility patrols in the area as part of the investigations and to provide community reassurance.

“I would appeal to anyone who witnesses anything suspicious or who believes they have information that could assist the investigations, to contact us via 101 quoting reference1800333610.

“I urge parents to make their children aware and advise them that if they are approached by strangers in vehicles that they should find a safe place and make someone they know aware such as a parent or teacher.

“They should also call us to report it on 101 or 999 in an emergency.”