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Knox Gardens Primary School: Wantirna South student stalked on way to school by stranger

Parents in Melbourne’s outer east have been urged to be on the lookout for a man in a bright red Commodore after a shocking incident involving a young girl on her way to school in Wantirna South.

Knox Gardens Primary School principal Tracy Bancroft issued a warning after a girl was followed by an abusive man.
Knox Gardens Primary School principal Tracy Bancroft issued a warning after a girl was followed by an abusive man.

Families in the outer east have been urged to remain vigilant after a man stalked and abused a young girl who was on her way to school.

Knox Gardens Primary School principal Tracy Bancroft sent an urgent message via the Education Department app Compass alerting parents to the frightening incident and calling on everyone to keep their eyes out for strangers and to talk to their children.

Knox Gardens Primary School principal Tracy Bancroft posted an urgent stranger danger post on Facebook to the school community.
Knox Gardens Primary School principal Tracy Bancroft posted an urgent stranger danger post on Facebook to the school community.

Parents have since shared the message on social media and police have received phone calls about the incident.

The shared post urges families to be vigilant and watch out for a “bright red commodore with tinted windows” being driven in a strange manner and to phone 000 immediately.

In her message to parents, Ms Bancroft said a female student was approached by a man in the red Commodore.

“The man asked her if she wanted a lift to school, which she declined,” the post said.

“He then continued to follow her along Mowbray Drive in his car to the school and was verbally harassing her until she entered the school via Loxton Avenue.”

Ms Bancroft appealed for families to discuss with their children how to act if they were approached by a stranger.

“It is also really important to remind students that if something like this does happen to them that they need to report it to a safe adult immediately,” the post said.

“Over the coming days and weeks families will need to be vigilant in relation to this red Commodore and if anyone sees a car matching this description acting strangely in our local community can you please call 000 immediately.”

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Knox Leader understands Knox police are following up the incident with Ms Bancroft.

The Department of Education did not make comment and referred the matter to police.

Knox Leader has contacted Ms Bancroft for comment.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/outer-east/knox-gardens-primary-school-wantirna-south-student-stalked-on-way-to-school-by-stranger/news-story/34f899ce74eba3f64578b25a5c0f14be