SCHOOL children in Bradford are being urged to be vigilant. 

Police officers are currently investigating four incidents where children aged between 9 and 11 have been approached by a male who then started speaking to them.

All four incidents took place in the Holme Wood area.

In each of the incidents, which took place between Wednesday, January 30, and yesterday, February 4, the children did not stop.

Officers are currently carrying out extensive enquiries into each incident with work including checking CCTV and speaking to potential witnesses.

Detective Superintendent Simon Bottomley of Bradford Police, said:  “I understand that these incidents may have caused concern in the community and we are doing everything we can to catch the persons or person responsible – it is a top priority for us.

"We are currently keeping an open mind as to whether or not they are linked as there are some similarities between all four incidents but some differences too.

“I would always urge children in particular to be vigilant and it can also help if parents / guardians can have a quick chat with their loved ones about not talking to strangers. In each incident the children felt uncomfortable and moved away.

“I would also urge anyone who may have information about any of the incidents to call police on 101. If you see anything suspicious or suspect an ongoing crime than call 999 immediately.”

The incidents

  • The first happened at 9am on Wednesday, January 30 on St Margaret’s Avenue, when a car stopped near to a boy. The driver then started speaking to him before he ran away.

A man officers want to speak to in connection with the incident is described as a white male, tall, between 55 and 60 years old. He had blonde hair, a stubbly moustache and a pointy nose and was wearing a red and black bobble hat, dark glasses and a dark top with a jacket and trousers. He spoke with an Irish or Scottish accent. He was driving a dark-coloured medium sized vehicle (possibly a 4x4)

  • The second incident happened at 3pm on the same day on Hyne Avenue, when a boy noticed a dark coloured vehicle. The driver of the vehicle then shouted at him before carrying on along the road.

A man officers want to speak to in connection with this incident is described as a white male, approximately 5”7’ tall, of medium build and wearing dark coloured clothing (tracksuit bottoms and a black jacket with a hood). He had a face covering which covered his mouth and nose but not his eyes. He had short ginger hair and it is thought he spoke in an English accent.

  • The third incident happened on Sunday, February 3, at 2.20pm on Englefield Crescent. A girl saw a man described as being of mixed race running towards her at the junction of Felcourt Drive and Muirhead Drive. She then ran onto Englefield Crescent where a second man shouted at her before she made her way home.

The first male officers want to speak to in connection with the incident is described as approximately 5’2” and wearing a balaclava, thin black jacket, black jogging bottoms and with something coloured around the waist. The second male officers want to speak to in connection with the incident is described as being of mixed race, of medium build and approximately 5’4” tall. He was wearing a balaclava, black puffer jacket with the hood up, black jeans and black trainers.

  • The most recent incident happened yesterday at 7pm when a girl was on Halesworth Crescent when a vehicle sped up and pulled up alongside her.

    A male in the vehicle then spoke to her and she ran away. A man officers want to speak in connection with the incident is described as aged around 21 but spoke like a younger male. He had blonde / brown hair which was combed over at the front to the left side. The hair was shaven with a swirly pattern shaved in and dark or green eyes.

    He was wearing a black Adidas top with the hood half pulled up. There were three white stripes down each sleeve and a white Adidas emblem on the left hand side of the chest. He was in a car described as black and small – possibly a Chevrolet.