SAPOL investigates two incidents of Grange Primary students being approached by strangers in cars
Two students from a western suburbs primary school say they were approached by strangers in cars while walking home from school, prompting police to investigate and parents to be on high alert.
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Police have moved to reassure western suburbs parents there is no need to panic, after investigating reports of students being approached by strangers in cars.
On Tuesday, August 25, just after 3pm, Western District police received two separate reports of Grange Primary students being approached by the occupants of two cars who were “allegedly behaving suspiciously and engaging with students”.
The students were walking home from school along Jetty Road at Grange at the time.
“Police would like to reassure students, parents and the community that the incidents have been thoroughly investigated, and police are satisfied the behaviour does not require further action,” SAPOL said.
“Police are proactively consulting with school officials and have maintained a highly visible presence around the school to further reassure students and parents.”
The mother of one of the students posted about the incident on Facebook, urging parents to remind their children to be “extra vigilant” getting to and from school.
She said the encounter had left her son “terrified”.
“Please remain extra vigilant – keep our kids safe,” she wrote.
Her post attracted an outpouring of support and concern from other parents.
Grange Primary alerted parents to the incidents and addressed the issue in class to “reinforce personal safety messages” to students.
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The Education Department also issued a safety alert to schools in the Grange area.
A department spokesman encouraged parents to speak with their children about personal safety.
“This could include making it clear to your child who within your circle of family and friends is trusted to do the school drop off and pick up,” he said.
“If students are feeling vulnerable the advice is to go back to school, to a place of business or to make contact with a trusted adult.”
Anyone who sees any suspicious behaviour in or around schools is asked to report it to the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 or in an emergency call triple zero.