Parents warned after reports of strangers approaching children in Hartlepool

The most recent incident occurred on Wednesday March 16 around 3:30pm when a 10-year-old girl was approached by a man and a woman in a dark coloured vehicle -believed to be a 58 plate- on Mowbray Road, Hartlepool, near to the junction of Spalding Road.

The vehicle stopped and the woman who was driving the vehicle said she was sent by the girl’s parents to pick her up and asked her to get into the car.

When the girl made off, the vehicle followed her and the man and woman repeatedly asked her to get into the vehicle. The man then got out and started to run after her.

The girl managed to make it safely to a nearby address and the man got back into the vehicle, which made off towards Wainfleet Road.

The woman driving the vehicle is described as a white female, aged in her mid-30s with shoulder-length gingery hair, of slim build and a local accent. She was wearing a flowery top, leather jacket and leather style bottoms.

The male passenger is described as black, around 40-years-old and of stocky build. He had a bald head with bits of black hair and slight facial hair and he spoke with a local accent. He was wearing a black hooded jumper and black joggers.

Police have previously released details of two incidents which happened on Thursday February 25 in the area of Merlin Way and another on Friday February 26 in the same location in which two men approached a girl. Officers are not connecting these incidents to the incident on Mowbray Road at this time.

Any witnesses to the incidents or anyone who believes they may know the identity of those involved is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Andrew Richmond on the non-emergency number 101, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org.