Facebook users will have already seen warnings being posted about an incident that happened in East Cowes yesterday.
You might have seen this post on Facebook: “Just a WARNING to anyone to all parents & kids, there has been an incident tonight over at East Cowes where a young girl was chased home by a man, police are out looking for him now!! Please be watchful & remember kid’s safety in numbers, especially you women & girls. The man had rope & chain hanging out his pocket!! Please girls take this very seriously, the police are still circling the area,…please copy & paste helping to keep our familys safe..peace and love to you all…xxx This is NOT a spam this is NOT the first incident which has happened a girl was watched last week then later tht evening he tried breaking in her home one of a few which has happened in the last couple of weeks!!!”
Police have confirmed to VB that they are investigating a matter in East Cowes and appeal for any witnesses. This in their own words. Ed
Police are investigating a report of a man acting suspiciously in East Cowes on the Isle of Wight.
Officers are making enquiries after a 12-year-old girl said she had been followed on foot by a man she did not know.
She noticed him walking behind her in the York Avenue area at around 5.30pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012.
Description of suspect
The man was described as:
> White
> 5 ft 4 ins tall
> Large build
> Wearing glasses with oblong tinted lenses
> He was wearing a blue hooded top, blue jeans, and scruffy white trainers.
> He appeared to have a chain and a piece of rope hanging from the pockets of his jeans.
Report being treated seriously
A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: “At this stage, there is no evidence to confirm any criminal offences took place or were intended. Initial enquiries suggest the man did not speak to the girl and did not touch her. Nevertheless, the report is being treated seriously and we are pursuing several lines of enquiry to identify the man, whose apparent behaviour has upset and alarmed a young girl.
“She and her family acted correctly by raising their concerns with the police swiftly. We always encourage people to report information to the authorities if they’re worried about the welfare of a child.
“Police are carrying out extra patrols in the area to provide reassurance to the community after this report, which is not being linked to any other incidents.
“We cannot rule out the possibility of a totally innocent explanation so officers would also appeal for the man himself to contact police as soon as possible.”
Get in touch
The man or anyone with information is asked to contact police by phoning 101. Mini-Com users can call the police on 01962 875000.
Information can be given anonymously by calling the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.
Image: Bruce Webb
