Inquiry Into Gosport Attempted Abduction

Police are investigating a report of a man approaching a school girl in Gosport.

The most recent incident was reported shortly after 8am on Thursday, January 17th by the mother of a 12-year-old girl from Gosport.

The girl had been walking to school by herself along Lanyard Drive at around 7.30am this morning when she was approached by a man driving a silver or grey vehicle.

The man left the vehicle, walked towards her and grabbed her by one of her shoulders. The girl shrugged off his grip, ran away and phoned her mother who contacted the police.

The girl was not injured.

She described the man as:

> White
> Aged in his 30s
> Grey short goatee-style beard
> Around 5 ft 10 ins tall
> He was wearing a white baseball cap and a dark coloured jumper.

Specialist police officers are speaking with the girl to establish more details, and provide support to her and family.

Officers and PCSOs from dedicated local Safer Neighbourhoods teams are visiting schools in the area to reassure local communities, speak with parents, children and teachers, and provide information and advice.

Fareham and Gosport District commander Chief Inspector Darren O'Callaghan said:

"Police are in the early stages of enquiries, and there is no evidence at the moment to confirm a link between this report or any other crimes.

"Nevertheless, we are clearly concerned that this report is similar to an assault reported in Conifer Grove in Gosport on January 10 when two men in a silver car approached a 17-year-old girl.

"I would like to thank members of the public for reporting this information to the police promptly. Similar cases elsewhere in Hampshire have raised awareness of suspicious behaviour towards children and women.

"Continued co-operation from the community is important to ensure the facts are established swiftly and any offenders brought to justice.

"While the exact circumstances are investigated, police are asking the public to remain alert, but not alarmed; advising parents and schools to remind their children of the stranger danger message, and to report any incidents to us as soon as possible."

Anyone with information is asked to contact CID at Fareham Police Station by phoning 101.