Boy Located After Appeal Over Suspicious Incident

Luckily yesterday’s appeal turned out to be nothing to worry about. This in from the Police. Ed

Police Investigate Suspicious Incident Involving Child Near Ventnor Police on the Isle of Wight have identified and traced a boy after concerns for his safety were raised by a member of the public in St. Lawrence near Ventnor on the Isle of Wight.

A local man phoned police after a young boy accompanied by two men knocked on his front door at an address in Undercliff Drive at approximately 1.30pm on Monday, November 29, 2010.

Police were informed that the boy had been crying at the door. The men explained to the householder that they had become lost while out on a walk. The householder gave them directions to the St. Lawrence coastal path as requested. The boy and two men then walked away together down Old Park Road, past Hunts Road and towards the coastal path.

Sergeant Martin Ward of the Isle of Wight Public Protection Unit (PPU) said: “We issued an appeal through the media after initial enquiries in the local area had not identified the boy. I would like to thank members of the public who contacted police yesterday (Monday) as a result of our media appeal. The boy has been identified and located on the island, where there is no concern for his safety and welfare at this time.

“Police have also established there were no suspicious circumstances or criminal offences surrounding why he was in St. Lawrence with two men on Monday, November 29. Nevertheless, I have thanked the local resident for contacting us with his concerns. Police would always encourage people to act responsibly by reporting information to the authorities if they believe a child is at risk. Thankfully, that was not the case in this situation.”