Urgent warning as 'man dressed as schoolboy' offers to walk children home
Parents are said to have been left "worried sick" following the incident which has prompted warnings from local schools and a police force.
Parents have been warned after a man reportedly approached a student while dressed as a schoolboy and offered to walk them home.
The alarming incident took place in Grantham, in Lincolnshire, on September 27. It has prompted the Priory Ruskin Academy to send out an email to parents.
According to LincolnshireLive, a pupil claimed they had been approached by a man wearing the school's uniform, complete with navy blue trousers. He then offered to escort them home, it is alleged, leaving some parents “worried sick”.
A similar incident was reported at a school in nearby Sleaford. Youngsters there said a man was seen loitering in uniform.
Priory Ruskin Academy urged pupils to stay alert and contact 999 if they encountered any suspicious individuals. Parents have also been encouraged to remind their children of key safety measures.
The incident has been reported to Lincolnshire Police. The force said it was looking into the reports.
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A statement read: “We received a report on Friday afternoon that a pupil at Priory Ruskin Academy had been approached by an unknown person with a blond fringe and glasses who was wearing a school uniform. It is unknown if this was a man or a woman.
"We have spoken with the pupil and the school, and the school has issued an email to parents. We would encourage anyone who is concerned about another person behaving suspiciously to make a report to the police."
The reports have followed a spate of disturbing videos reportedly circulating on TikTok by an account known as 'smartschoolboy9'. The individual - who appears to be a middle-aged man dressed as a schoolboy - has caused concern among parents.
It is unclear if the incidents in Lincolnshire are connected to the TikTok creator or the result of copycat behaviour. The King’s School in Grantham also alerted parents, advising children to remain vigilant and avoid speaking to strangers.
