School asks pupils to be 'extra vigilant' after reports of students being followed home

-Credit:Vincent Cole - Manchester Evening News
-Credit:Vincent Cole - Manchester Evening News


A Prestwich school has warned pupils to be 'extra vigilant' following reports some students were followed home.

Parrenthorn High School issued the message to parents, saying some of their Year 8 pupils had felt they had been 'followed in a van' with tinted windows.

The school said the incident was reported to police after the pupils felt the van driver was acting 'in a strange way'. They added the safety of pupils was their 'utmost priority' but that 'no threats were made or harm caused' during the incident.

READ MORE: Coronation Street fans baffled by 'missing character' as Carla Connor confirms Lisa Swain's moved in

ADVERTISEMENT

READ MORE: Coronation Street star Colson Smith supported as 'big news' confirmed with two co-stars amid soap exit

In the message issued to parents and students on Monday (January 20), the school said the local authority had asked them to share a report for concern.

"Some Year 8 pupils from Parrenthorn have reported that this morning they feel they have been followed by a black/grey van with tinted windows," they wrote.

"They described the driver as white, bald, and between the ages of 30-50. Please be extra vigilant when leaving the school this afternoon."

The school said no harm was caused during the incident -Credit:Manchester Evening News
The school said no harm was caused during the incident -Credit:Manchester Evening News

‘’The safety of our pupils is our utmost priority, and we have rigorous safeguarding policies and procedures in place to ensure this," they told the Manchester Evening News.

“It is also important, however, not to cause undue distress or alarm to our pupils or their families and wider community.

ADVERTISEMENT

“In this incident, a pupil had – quite correctly – informed us that they thought a van was acting in a strange way. No pupil was approached or spoken to, and no threats were made or harm caused – there was no suggestion of anything untoward occurring.

“Nevertheless, in line with our protocol, we informed the local authority including the Lead Safeguarding Officer for Bury Schools and Colleges and Bury LA Operations and Emergency Response manager. A report was made to the police, and we provided full support for the pupils involved and contacted their parents.

“We educate our pupils about personal safety, and in this instance the children and the school acted responsibly to report concerns and act on them appropriately.’’