Stranger tried to lure ten-year-old boy into his car with sweets in west Hull

A MUM is warning parents to be on high alert after a stranger tried to lure her ten-year-old son into his car with sweets.

Robert Allen was walking home from a park close to a primary school in west Hull when he was approached by a man.

Instead of accepting the man's offer of a lift home in the car, Robert fled and was discovered crying in the Boulevard, west Hull, by a woman who took him to a police station.

Now, Chiltern Primary School is urging parents to pick up their children at home-time until the man is caught.

Robert's mum Donna said: "You see this type of thing happening in films but you don't think it is going to happen to you in your neighbourhood.

"I don't think he would be here now if he had got into that car. I am so worried, not just for my children, but also for others, particularly those from other schools who play around here and haven't been alerted."

Robert was walking home from the park, close to Chiltern Primary School, at about 5pm on Thursday when he was approached by a man in a small, red four-door car.

The stranger asked Robert if he wanted a lift, claiming he knew the little boy's mother.

When Robert refused, the man offered him a packet of sweets.

Realising something was seriously wrong, Robert ran away from the car, heading off into Boulevard where he was spotted crying by the woman.

Mrs Allen was growing concerned when Robert failed to return home at the usual time.

She said: "Robert was due home at 5pm and when he didn't return, I was very worried.

"The police rang and when they told me what happened, I dropped everything and went to pick him up.

"Robert normally walks back home but I will certainly be going to get him and his younger sister from now on."

She said Robert is still suffering the after-effects of his traumatic encounter with the stranger.

"He didn't sleep much that night after it happened," she said.

"I don't think he really wanted to go out this weekend and I made sure I was with him."

Mrs Allen is convinced the man who approached her son had a sinister motive.

She said: "From the man's description, I don't think I know him.

"Everyone I know also knows Robert."

Officers from Humberside Police plan to interview Robert in the next couple of days to build up a clear picture of the man who tried to entice him into the car.

Mrs Allen also hopes they will find the woman who came to Robert's rescue.

She said: "I want to be able to thank her. Not everyone would stop to help like that.

"She might also have some vital information for the police."

Mrs Allen said her son knew not to talk to strangers and praised his response to a dangerous situation.

"I am very pleased and proud of the way Robert acted," she said.

"I'm indebted to the school for teaching pupils about stranger danger. He has certainly taken that on board."

Chiltern Primary School is taking the accosting very seriously with head teacher Lynne Clarke sending a text message to parents warning them about Robert's terrifying experience.

She said the school will continue to take every precaution until the man is caught.

Mrs Clarke said: "The child's mother came in to see me the morning after it happened and she was very concerned.

"Her son was playing in the park opposite the school and he has strict instructions to ring her at 5pm and be back by 5.30pm.

"She was very worried when she didn't hear from him.

"I told the admin office to send a text out to all parents to notify them about the situation and pick their children up.

"The staff will be keeping an eye out as well. A lot of the children play in the park.

"Hopefully, this man will be tracked down and caught."

The children have also been given extra lessons on keeping safe outside school.

Mrs Clarke said: "We have also organised extra classes to remind children of stranger danger.

"We do a lot of work on this area as part of personal safety and health education.

"We warn them not to be taken in when a stranger says he or she knows a member of the child's family.

"In this case, Robert acted in the right way.

"He is very sensible and one of the older pupils.

"We are very pleased with the way he kept himself safe."

Mrs Clarke admits it is a difficult balance to ensure the children remain safe without causing them to panic.

She said: "This is an unusual occurrence and we have to keep it in perspective.

"But until this man is caught, we all have to remain extra vigilant especially now, as it is getting darker earlier."

Humberside Police are appealing for the woman who helped Robert and took him to Gordon Street police station to come forward.

The police are also seeking anyone else with information about the accosting.

A police spokesman said: "The boy involved was unhurt and did exactly the right thing in refusing the approaches he reported being made by this man.

"He was, however, clearly alarmed and distressed by the experience and we would urge anyone who has any information to come forward to police."

Anyone with information should call non-emergency number 101.

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