Parents are being reminded to err on the side of caution with supervision, after a child was approached by a man on Tuesday.
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The 12-year-old girl was walking along Brooks Street and she believes the man started following her.
He asked her some questions like her name and age, when the girl became scared, ran off and didn’t see him again.
Acting Inspector Lucas Cole said no offences had been committed as such, but people needed to be aware their children’s safety.
“You need to be aware and careful when your children are in public places,” he said.
“We are looking into it and checking CCTV footage of the area.”
He assures the community approaches such as these don’t happen often – but they do happen.
“You always have to be aware of your own safety in public places.”
Meanwhile, the incident has again prompted police to encourage parents to discuss the ‘Safe People, Safe Places’ messages with their children, including;
- Make sure your parents or another adult you know knows where you are at all times.
- Always walk straight home or to the place you are walking to. Walk near busier roads and streets, or use paths where there are lots of other people.
- Know where safe places are – a shop, service station, police station, library or school. If you are ever frightened, you should go to one of these places and ask them to call the police.
- Learn about safe adults you can look for and talk to if you need help – police officers, teachers at school, adults you know and trust.
- Don’t talk to people you don’t know and never get into a car with someone you don’t know. If a car stops on the side of the road and you don’t know the person inside, do not stop.
- If you are scared and can use a phone, call 000 and tell them you are scared.
- If someone tries to grab you, yell out, ‘Go away, I don’t know you’. This lets other people know you have been approached by someone you don’t know.
Report any suspicious behavior to Griffith Police Station on 6969 4299 or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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