PARENTS are being put on their guard by police after a series of incidents in which children have been approached by strangers in a red car.
Mums and dads are being asked to stay vigilant and to note descriptions and registration numbers of people and vehicles they believe to be acting suspiciously.
Dorset Police has decided to send out the warning after three separate reports of strangers approaching young children in just over a month.
On at least two occasions, a small red car, possibly a Peugeot, was involved. The registration number of the three-door vehicle is thought to end with the letter N.
The car pulled alongside a 12-year-old boy as he walked home along Gillingham's Bay Road on April 8. The driver offered him a lift home, but the boy refused.
Ten miles away in the village of Stalbridge, a child was approached by a customer in Dykes Stores and offered sweets on April 30.
Eight days later a red car was again reported to police as being involved in a suspicious approach to a child, this time in a village near Sherborne.
A young girl playing in her front garden in Holwell was spoken to by two men in a red vehicle, say police.
Police Inspector Phil Cheverton urged parents to remain calm, stressing that no offences had been committed.
"They may be totally innocent encounters but I would ask parents to be vigilant and if possible take details of any vehicle registrations, descriptions of persons involved and to report their suspicions at the time," said Inspector Cheverton.
Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 01202 222222 or 01305 222222.
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