Warning issued after third Inverness incident of child being approached by a stranger

Holm Primary in Inverness said a boy was approached by a man who threatened to hit him

Holm Primary gave details of the incident in an online blog, saying the boy had been approached by a man in a white or silver van with yellow writing on it last Friday at Holm Mains, near the bottom of back steps leading from the school.

The school's online post reads: "It has been reported by a parent that their child was approached by a white/silver van with yellow writing on Friday at the bottom of the back steps. The driver was an older man and basically said to the child that he was going to ‘hit him’.

"The child was understandably upset but nothing happened to him and he returned home safely and reported the incident to his mum. A similar incident occurred across town near Balloch involving what sounds to be the same man and van. Both incidents have been reported to the police.

"We would ask that you remind your children to be vigilant and that if anything similar reoccurs that it be reported to the school as well as to the police."

Police said the incident had not been reported to them, but officers were making a pre-arranged visit to Holm Primary to give a talk to pupils which would include keeping them safe from "stranger danger."

A concerned parent said: "This is really worrying. Lots of kids walk home from school, including my own, so I hope the police can find out who these people are and if they mean any harm. I trust my kids not to go away with a stranger and after this my wife and I sat them down again to make sure they know what to do if they are approached.

"It's good that the police be at the school and hopefully will talk to the children about stranger danger, but it might be an idea for them to have a presence around the school at going home time for a bit to make sure these people don't return."

Police are already carrying out inquiries after two previous reports of similar incidents.

On February 23 two boys were reportedly approached in Westhill by two men who asked them to get into their car.

Then a young boy was said to have been approached by a man who tried to engage him in conversation in the Culloden area last Tuesday (March 4).

Related article: Police investigate report of second child snatch attempt in Inverness