School and park incidents reminder for parents to be vigilant
Parents in Melbourne’s inner suburbs are on high alert after reports of strangers approaching children. A man in a white apron and a man dressed as a priest have been reported in two of the unrelated incidents.
Inner South
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A man with a long white beard who dresses in a white apron left a young girl shaken outside a school in Melbourne’s southeast.
But locals say he isn’t the only one, with a number of other reported incidents in the area putting parents on high alert over the past fortnight.
Police are investigating an incident outside Middle Park Primary School last Tuesday morning where a 10-year-old girl was approached by the man in the white apron.
Police spokeswoman Megan Stefanec said the girl was running along Richardson St outside the school when she was approached about 8am on November 19.
“The man has waved his arms in the air, startling the child,” she said.
“The matter is not being treated as an attempted abduction, however police would like to speak to the man involved.”
An email was circulated to parents by Neighbourhood House’s Kate Hall about the incident.
She said safety alerts had been sent out by Galilee Primary School and Albert Park Primary School warning parents of the Middle Park Primary School incident.
“Galilee hasn’t had any incidents, but parents were warned through phone apps,” Ms Hall said.
“Another incident happened the Sunday before, where a parent was at a park with their two kids and their son was approached by a man in a priest outfit.
“The three-year-old boy was bombarded with completely inappropriate language.”
It is understood a young man dressed as a priest at Graham St skate park in Port Melbourne approached the child.
Police spokeswoman Melissa Seach said police were called to the park following reports of a male teen making inappropriate comments to children.
“Officers patrolled the area and were unable to locate the teen,” she said.
“Police were called to the same location yesterday (Sunday November 24) and arrested a 17-year-old boy nearby about 3:50pm.”
The teen was interviewed by police and is expected to be charged on summons pending further inquiries.
Police say the incidents are unrelated, but Ms Hall said parents needed to be extra vigilant as incidents were happening even when their kids were near.
She said there were two other reports of vehicles stopping and children being approached by an occupant.
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“An Albert Park boy was stopped in Albert Park as he was going home,” she said. “They tried to get him to go in the car, but fortunately nothing happened.
“The other incident happened when a boy was climbing a tree outside his house and a man drove up to where he was.”
It is understood the man wanted the boy to get in the car but sensing danger he ran inside.
Anyone with information that could assist police with their inquiries is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.