Man posing as taxi driver tried to tempt students into car, school warns
St Alban's Catholic High School in Ipswich Picture: SIMON PARKER
A school has sent out a letter warning parents about man claiming to be a taxi driver asking students to get into his car on two separate occasions.
St Albans Catholic High School assistant headteacher Jason Horne sent out a letter on Friday, January 11 informing parents of the incidents and asking them to speak with their children so they are aware of the potential safety concerns.
He said a man driving a silver car had first tried to tempt a student into a vehicle on Monday, January 7.
Mr Horne said: “This apparent taxi did make contact with a year-seven student along Digby Road after school on Monday.
“We initially found out about it on Tuesday morning.
“We spoke to students about it and having invited the student involved to give some details.”
He also said the police had been contacted.
Most Read
- 1 First look inside Ipswich's new Tim Hortons ahead of opening
- 2 Push for 4 day work week in Suffolk after company's profits soar 200%
- 3 Man dies following single vehicle crash near Ipswich
- 4 Carer avoids jail after fraudulently obtaining £3,500 at Ipswich home
- 5 Open day for Ipswich pub on sale for £300,000
- 6 Star Suffolk breakfast blogger reveals her favourite food around Ipswich
- 7 Wahoo skating shop moving from Ipswich to Woodbridge
- 8 Man with learning difficulties will not go to prison for sex offence
- 9 Hunt for Vicky's killer continues nearly six months after suspect arrested
- 10 Drug dealer escapes jail after £3k worth of cannabis found at home
Mr Horne said the students were told to be vigilant and extra staff were put on after school.
“Then on Thursday after school, we had another student approached - which we assume was the same car - at a bus stop in Woodbridge Road East,” he said.
“One of our students was stood on the pavement and a silver car pulled over, wound down the window and a man said: ‘I’m a taxi, your mum has called because your bus is late.’
“Because we had already alerted the students about the issue, that helped her realise this was not right so she ran off.”
The school found out about the latest incident on Friday, prompting a letter to be sent out.
Mr Horne said the purpose of the letter was to be transparent with parents, so they knew what had happened and could speak to their children.
The school also contacted other schools in the area to make them aware of the incidents.
The letter to parents, which has now been published on social media, said: “The police have been informed, and we have made the students aware through their tutors, via our staff briefing this morning.
“I am also contacting the schools locally, and all Suffolk schools both primary and secondary via the headteachers’ network.
“We will be increasing our staff on duty over the next week at the end of the day, and I would ask you to talk to your child/ren at home to reinforce the vigilance required in respect of this safeguarding matter.”
