Hounsdown School issues alert after three suspicious men seen in three days near premises

Hounsdown School, in Totton, is urging parents and carers to keep an eye out for their children after three incidents occurred close to the school within days.

In an email to parents, the school said the incidents were “worrying” and wants its pupils to seek help if they are approached by somebody immediately.

The school said the first incident happened at Hounsdown Park, on the path leading to the swings at around 4pm on Friday.

They say the police have been made aware of a man who is aged 40 to 60 years old approached a female youngster.

 

He was described as having shoulder length, slightly curly hair and balding on top and was wearing a red cotton jumper with a blue shirt underneath and black jeans.

A second incident is said to have happened near Totton Recreation Centre, where a man driving a silver Astra approached one of the school’s male students, causing him distress.

Finally, the school say, a female student was followed by a man, described to be aged between 16 and 20 years old, as she walked to school yesterday morning near Hazel Wood School.

Assistant headteacher Belinda Langley-Bliss added in the message: “We will be encouraging the students to walk home in groups before they leave school.

“Please could you speak to your children and remind them of safety measures when they are out and about.

“We have been in contact with local police regarding the matter and will update you if we learn any more. Please stay safe and alert.”

22 April 2015 - Hounsdown School Exterior STOCK.

Sarah Couch, interim executive headteacher at Hazel Wood Infant School, said: “The safety of children at our school is paramount; when concerns are shared with the school, depending on their nature, we ask that parents are vigilant when outside school premises.”

On November 20, parents were also told of an incident that happened the day before at Noadswood School, where a year eight pupil was approached by a man in a blue van. He asked her to get in the van but she ran off. The incident happened just off the A326 in Hythe, near The Glen pub, close to Arnwood Avenue.

In recent weeks there has been a surge of incidents involving suspicious men near schools.

Last week, Bursledon infants and junior schools reported that three children saw two men acting suspiciously as they walked to school.

In a similar incident, a man exposed himself to students at Hamble Primary School. Police say the incidents are not linked.