Colchester: Police Investigating Attempted Accosting

Police say a man has tried to get a 14-year-old girl to get in his van in Colchester.

The attempted accosting happened in the Spruce Avenue at around 4:15pm on Wednesday (January 16th).

The girl has reported that she was walking home from school when the male driver of a grey van made a lewd suggestion and asked her to get into the van.

She refused and made her way home where she reported the incident to a parent.

She was unharmed and no attempt was made to force her into the van.

The driver is described as white and 30 to 40 years old.

He had short dark brown/black hair and the van he was driving had blacked out rear windows.

There was also a male passenger in the van. He is described as white and aged 30 to 40.

Inspector Jim White said: "Incidents of this nature are very rare however it was very upsetting for the teenage girl and we are exploring every avenue to investigate it further."

High visibility patrols have been increased in the area and a PCSO will be visiting a local school to reassure students."

Any witnesses or anyone with information about the man or the van are asked to contact Dc Andrea Ford at Colchester CID on 101.