Police warn parents after suspected abduction attempt in Hailsham

The girl was approached near the entrance to Grovelands Community School near the junction of Grovelands Road and London Road around 3.30pm on Friday, January 22.

She told police the man had said, “Your dad has asked me to pick you up.”

He then grabbed hold of her arm, but she pushed him away and ran off.

She then heard him say similar things to some other older girls in the area.

Sergeant Amy Mason said, “This was obviously a very alarming experience and while the man’s motives have not been established, the manner in which he approached, talked to and grabbed the girl are disturbing.

“She has described him as a tanned white man, possibly of Asian descent, aged 19-20, taller than 5ft 6ins, of broad build, with short dark brown ‘messy’ hair, a few hairs around his chin and light stubble.

“He was wearing all black clothes including a hooded top and a beanie that covered his ears. He spoke with a foreign accent. He indicated his van which was white, dirty and with black windows.

“She has been very helpful and did absolutely the right thing in running away and telling her mum straight away.

“We now need to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who saw a man meeting this description at the time or around the school or any others in the area in recent days. We would also like to hear from the girls who the man is believed to have spoken to immediately after the girl ran off.”

Witnesses are asked to email [email protected] or call 101 quoting serial 942 of 22/01.

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