Police have launched an investigation after a masked man told a Nottinghamshire schoolgirl to get into his van. A 11-year-old girl was walking to school when a black van pulled over to the side of Arnold Lane, Gedling, and a man told her to get into the vehicle at around 8am on Wednesday, November 30.
The girl was not harmed and the man did not get out of the van or follow her. She ran to a local shop and police were called.
The school pupil described the man as being white and wearing a surgical mask. Nottinghamshire Police said searches were being carried out, including checking CCTV footage and efforts to trace the van and the man.
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An email from All Hallows CE Primary School to parents, seen by Nottinghamshire Live, asked parents to be alert to any dangers. They said a teacher had spotted the incident and that the school had reported it to the police, but that the schoolgirl was not one of their pupils.
Inspector Mark Stanley, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “The girl wasn’t harmed and the man did not get out of the van or follow her. She ran to a local shop and police were called.
“Searches are being carried out as we continue to pursue multiple lines of inquiry, including checking CCTV footage, to trace the van and the man. The girl described him as being white and wearing a surgical mask.
“We treat reports of this nature extremely seriously and our work is ongoing to understand the full circumstances of this incident.
“We are currently treating this as an isolated incident but we have increased high visibility reassurance patrols in the area since this incident was reported.
“We are urging anyone who was in the area around the time and who may have information which could help us with our enquiries to please call Nottinghamshire Police on 101, quoting incident 100 of 30 November 2022, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
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