On Monday November 16th, shortly after 4 pm, a 10 year old female was walking in the Chelmsford area where she was followed by an adult male who engaged her in conversation.
The child did not know the adult male.
The adult male followed her to a local business where he continued to engage her in conversation until being told to leave by the business owner when he realized the adult male had no connection to the child.
This matter was reported to police and throughout the day, various officers in uniform and plainclothes worked to identify this adult male party.
This afternoon a 32 year-old Chelmsford man was identified and arrested by police for Criminal Harassment, Carry Concealed Weapon (knife) and Breaching a Weapons Prohibition Order.
Police ask parents to educate their children about what to do when children are engaged by unfamiliar adults. Ensuring that children have a strategy on how to deal with these situations will help ensure their safety.
Safety Tips:
· Don’t talk to strangers.
· Don’t take anything from strangers.
· Don’t go anywhere with someone you don’t know.
· Stay more than an arm’s reach from strangers. If you are approached by a stranger, seek help immediately.
· Trust your instincts, if you feel you are being followed or something is not right, seek help immediately.
· Use the buddy system, avoid walking anywhere alone.
· When seeking help, always go to a trusted adult – teacher, coach, police officer, other parent, or older siblings.
· Report any suspicious activity to your local school and police.