We were notified on Friday that there have been reports of a man in a white van approaching children at the school gates.
The schools and police are taking this seriously so for anyone with children at schools in the vicinity, i.e Ecclesall Juniors / Infants / High Storrs please please be extra vigilant.

It is a sad world when our children come home scared of these 'modern day monsters'.

yeah, we were told about a guy who was pulling up to kids at bents green in a red car asking them if they "wanted to see his puppy" no joke.

the police know but i don't think he's actually done anything wrong yet, but it sounds very dodgy.

Originally posted by spakka
yeah, we were told about a guy who was pulling up to kids at bents green in a red car asking them if they "wanted to see his puppy" no joke.

the police know but i don't think he's actually done anything wrong yet, but it sounds very dodgy.

I heard about that too!

Originally posted by spakka
yeah, we were told about a guy who was pulling up to kids at bents green in a red car asking them if they "wanted to see his puppy" no joke.



bents green lol, well at least hes in the right place
bent **** :P

Originally posted by melthebell
bents green lol, well at least hes in the right place
bent **** :P

Sorry to spoil your fun but I don't think this is a joking matter!:loopy:

My God! White Van / Red Car - I'm gonna be one paranoid mother!!!

Originally posted by spakka
the police know but i don't think he's actually done anything wrong yet, but it sounds very dodgy.

This is exactly what is wrong with the police force at the moment.
The guy is trawling round outside schools, and they dont think it is serious enough yet to investigate it or stop him.

When are they going to do something then?
Probably when he actually kidnaps a kid or two, thats when!
That is too late then for the kid involved and their families.

WTF is this country coming to?? The guy is probably a paedophile and no one is stopping him from landing outside any school gates checking out your kids.

I really do think someone/anyone needs to sort this out ASAP.

Maybe if the police were freed from the mindless bureaucracy necessary for every single person they stop, forced upon them by New Labour, they'd be less apprehensive about stopping suspicious (and probably dangerous) people like this.

Unfortunately, t020, it's a chicken and egg situation - and we can thank the west midlands force for the restrictions placed on the police these days. Corrupt Barstools that large quantities of them turned out to be :mad:

Originally posted by t020
Maybe if the police were freed from the mindless bureaucracy necessary for every single person they stop, forced upon them by New Labour, they'd be less apprehensive about stopping suspicious (and probably dangerous) people like this.

I whole heartedly agree with you there my friend!

Oddballs driving round and parking up outside schools deserve some police special attention, like right now!

I would like to see my future kids protected against this sort of weirdo basically fishing for potential kiddie targets.

Originally posted by ANGELUS
This is exactly what is wrong with the police force at the moment.
The guy is trawling round outside schools, and they dont think it is serious enough yet to investigate it or stop him.

When are they going to do something then?
Probably when he actually kidnaps a kid or two, thats when!
That is too late then for the kid involved and their families.

WTF is this country coming to?? The guy is probably a paedophile and no one is stopping him from landing outside any school gates checking out your kids.

I really do think someone/anyone needs to sort this out ASAP.

I think youll find that the police were actually outside at lunchtime patrolling the area..... they have to find him first and then find something to arrest him for....... give them chance for gods sake!!

A little too quick to judge me thinks. :loopy:

Originally posted by MysTique
It is a sad world when our children come home scared of these 'modern day monsters'.
Hmm, I remember watching a film warning us of the dangers of men in white vans when I was at junior school, nearly 30 years ago. I must have gone to a very "modern" school.

Originally posted by Ally68
Sorry to spoil your fun but I don't think this is a joking matter!:loopy:

LOL come on.............theres a joke in everything, doesnt mean its not an important subject or trying to make light of the situation, but you can smile occasionly even when somethings as serious as this thread :)

Originally posted by melthebell
LOL come on.............theres a joke in everything, doesnt mean its not an important subject or trying to make light of the situation, but you can smile occasionly even when somethings as serious as this thread :)

Do you have children? Maybe when/if one day you do you'll not find anything remotely funny about this subject.

Ally68

Originally posted by t020
Maybe if the police were freed from the mindless bureaucracy necessary for every single person they stop, forced upon them by New Labour, they'd be less apprehensive about stopping suspicious (and probably dangerous) people like this.

Sorry to2o, but the original poster said the police are treating this seriously. Maybe you should start another thread about whether the police should make a report when they stop people in the street.

This is quite worrying ,there was a guy in a white van outside our school tonight.The reason I noticed it was because I had not seen it before , working in school you get to know which kids have parents picking them up in vehicles.This van was one I hadn't seen before and he was parked dangerously on a corner ,wonder what I should do ? I didn't get a good look but he did drive past us eventually . Do I call the police with this info ?

well i passed a few schools today and 2 off them had officers outside at home time.

i think they are hoping their presence will put the message out

Originally posted by Ally68
Do you have children? Maybe when/if one day you do you'll not find anything remotely funny about this subject.

Ally68

yes i have children, and no i dont find the subject funny, the only funny thing i found was a joke in the midst of a serious subject...ok?

it may be a serious subject but its also ok to smile occasionly :)

More details emerging on this - apparently a young man approached the school gate to talk to youngsters on Friday with the ' do you want to see some puppies' line.
The police were called and attended the school and spoke to the children concerned. They advised the same thing had happened at High Storrs. No children were allowed to go home on their own that day and the police have been visible at home times since.
My problem with such a visible presence is though, reassuring to parents, this "man" ( I have a few other choice words but I don't think the mods would appreciate such language ) is going to know police/schools/parents are aware of him and just move on to another unsuspecting school until the perfect opportunity arises.
I didn't want to scaremonger with my post, but to make people aware all over, so to Pretty Woman I would say yes report it - It may be totally innocent but if he has moved on they may have a better chance of catching him.
yes i have children, and no i dont find the subject funny, the only funny thing i found was a joke in the midst of a serious subject...ok?
I do agree, no sane person would find the topic of this post at all funny but we do need some humour to get us through these situations. I took Melthebels original comment in the manner of which I think it was meant - to bring a bit of relief from an extremely scary prospect.

MysTique

Sheffield Star article (http://www.sheffieldtoday.net/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=58&ArticleID=1022134)

I for one am quite impressed by the action taken by the school. Three cheers for them :clap:

If you see anyone or a vehicle acting suspiciously it's probably safest to report it. Get as many details as you can - a good description of the individual along with a registration number and any distinguishing marks on person and/or vehicle.

I'd much rather this 'person' be caught rather than moved on to another area/school.

Unless they are a known paedophile banned from being within a certain vicinity of a school i'm not sure what the police can do other than have words and threaten them with further action ...?

Transportation to an unhinabited island somewhere sounds a good solution!

Originally posted by MysTique
More details emerging on this - apparently a young man approached the school gate to talk to youngsters on Friday with the ' do you want to see some puppies' line.
The police were called and attended the school and spoke to the children concerned. They advised the same thing had happened at High Storrs. No children were allowed to go home on their own that day and the police have been visible at home times since.
My problem with such a visible presence is though, reassuring to parents, this "man" ( I have a few other choice words but I don't think the mods would appreciate such language ) is going to know police/schools/parents are aware of him and just move on to another unsuspecting school until the perfect opportunity arises.
I didn't want to scaremonger with my post, but to make people aware all over, so to Pretty Woman I would say yes report it - It may be totally innocent but if he has moved on they may have a better chance of catching him.

I do agree, no sane person would find the topic of this post at all funny but we do need some humour to get us through these situations. I took Melthebels original comment in the manner of which I think it was meant - to bring a bit of relief from an extremely scary prospect.

MysTique

Thankyou at least somebody recognises a quip within a serious subject and knows how to smile occasionly :)

Originally posted by pretty_woman
,wonder what I should do ? I didn't get a good look but he did drive past us eventually . Do I call the police with this info ?

I think, at the least, you should report this to the head teacher.

I just rang my kids primary (which is near Ecclesall) and they knew nothing about this or the Star article! Do the schools communicate? We'll be fetching our kids for a few days anyway!!

I know that there was an article in the star but not everyone reads that, shouldn't there be some better sort of warning system, such as on the news (radio or TV). This is about our childrens safety and this is the first time i've heard anything about this! People cannot be expected to rely on a chance reading in the sheffield forum for this sort of informatoin!

Choices:

1. Be grateful you did see it and take measures as you see fit.

2. Work out how to help improve the system yourself.

Originally posted by ANGELUS
This is exactly what is wrong with the police force at the moment.
The guy is trawling round outside schools, and they dont think it is serious enough yet to investigate it or stop him.

When are they going to do something then?
Probably when he actually kidnaps a kid or two, thats when!
That is too late then for the kid involved and their families.

WTF is this country coming to?? The guy is probably a paedophile and no one is stopping him from landing outside any school gates checking out your kids.

I really do think someone/anyone needs to sort this out ASAP.

If you are going to quote other peoples posts, please don't quote selectively, and then rant on, without regard to the facts. The police are taking this matter extremely seriously and there are a number of actions which are taking place, none of which are being publicised for obvious reasons. But the police are keen that parents are aware of the danger and are asking for vigilance regarding this man and a white van (or any other vehicle). Do not think that just because the worst case scenario has not happened, that nothing is happening, because it is.

Originally posted by Aaarrrggghhh
Choices:

1. Be grateful you did see it and take measures as you see fit.

2. Work out how to help improve the system yourself.


What a stupid comment, of course I'm greatful i did see it, I am worried about those that haven't! I was merely saying the media should be used to its full potential for something like this. They need informing by someone that has all the facts not somebody who has read someone else's comments on a forum!

Wow, well DO SOMETHING THEN instead of just talking about how others should be doing them... Sitting there criticising the local rags won't get you very far.

Think the point is being lost here, stop digging at me and stick to the issue!