YEOVIL NEWS: Stranger danger warning after incident outside school

PARENTS and children have been reminded about the importance of being aware of “stranger danger” following an incident outside a Yeovil school.

It is understood that one day last week somebody in a red car, parked in the area close to Oaklands Primary School, had tried to persuade a child to get in.

A short statement in a newsletter sent out by the school on Friday (November 14, 2014) reads: “One parent has reported a local incident this week involving a red car in our area and strongly feel that parents and children should be aware. If you have ANY concerns please call 101.

“It has also been brought to our attention that a black car with two male occupants has been parking outside schools in Bridgwater and Sherborne with possible intent to entice children into the car.”

Parents of children at other schools have also been notified of the incident near to Oaklands which is situated off of Preston Grove.

Here is some advice for parents on how to explain “stranger danger” with their children.

1: A stranger is anyone that your child doesn’t know or doesn’t know very well. It’s both common and dangerous for your child to think that “strangers” look scary or sinister, like villains in films or cartoons.

2: Play a game with your child and ask them to draw a stranger. It will help you reinforce that a stranger can look like anyone.

3: Tell your child that they won’t be able to tell if a stranger is nice or not – so all strangers should be treated in the same way.

4: Tell your child that even if they are not sure if someone is a stranger they should always behave in the same way and not take risks.

5: Teach them stock phrases to help give them confidence. For example – if a child is offered money or sweets they should say: “No thank you. Please leave me alone.”

6: It is important that children don’t think that talking to a stranger is okay if they are with a friend. Teach them they should only talk to someone they don’t know if YOU are there by their side.

7: Although it sounds obvious – please stress to your child that they should never talk to a stranger, never accept gifts or sweets and never walk off or get into a car with one.

8: If your child is approached by a stranger – encourage them to raise the alarm by shouting NO to draw attention. They should not be scared to do this and be told that it is the right thing to do.

9: Teach your child the simple message if approached by a stranger: “Don’t Go – Say No.”

10: It is important to reinforce this information with your children on a regular basis – especially with younger children.

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