Camouflage men hunted after pupils threatened

9:52am Friday 23rd May 2008

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Detectives in Bradford are investigating two serious incidents where schoolchildren were targeted by men wearing camouflage gear.

In the first, a teenager dragged two eight year-old boys - who had been playing in school fields - into bushes and threatened them with a stick. He fled when he was disturbed by a third pupil.

Two 12-year-old girls were followed by a suspicious looking man in the second incident.

Both took place in the Bolton area of Bradford within two hours of each other on yesterday afternoon and detectives are investigating if they are linked after a witness saw two men in camouflage gear standing together near the school less than an hour before the first incident.

Detective Inspector Peter Craig, of Airedale and North Bradford CID, said: "Due to the nature of these incidents we are treating them seriously and we are keeping an open mind as to whether they are linked. I would ask people to remain vigilant."

The first incident happened at 12.50pm at Poplars Primary School in Poplar Park Road, Bolton. Neither boy was injured. The suspect fled and got into a silver car, possibly a Vauxhall Corsa.

The suspect was a tanned male, aged 13 or 14, 5ft 5ins tall and of average build. He was wearing a green, brown and yellow camouflage bandana across his face, camouflage-coloured cap, camouflage-coloured tracksuit bottoms, hooded top and black Army boots.

In the second incident, at 2.30pm, the two girls were followed from Bolton Junction to Ennerdale Road, Undercliffe. The suspect was a black man in his mid to late 30s, of medium build and wearing glasses.

He was dressed in a dark and light green camouflage hooded top, black tracksuit bottoms with white stripes down the side and black footwear.

Det Insp Craig added: "A further witness has come forward who saw two men together wearing camouflage gear near the school at midday. I would ask for anyone who saw either of the suspects, or the two men wearing camouflage gear together, to contact Airedale and North Bradford CID on 0845 6060606."