Watch out for photographer (From Cotswold Journal)

Watch out for photographer

2:00pm Thursday 7th March 2013 in News

CHILDREN and parents in Evesham have been warned to be “very vigilant” after claims a man was seen taking photos of schoolchildren as they boarded a bus outside the town’s railway station.

The man was seen taking the pictures at about 8.15am last Wednesday as pupils got on the NN Cresswell bus to St Benedict’s Catholic High School in Alcester.

The school reacted swiftly by e-mailing parents, warning them and their children to be on the look-out.

A worried Evesham mum, whose two children attend the school, said it was not the first incident of this kind in the area.

The mum, who did not wish to be named, said: “The e-mail was good because everyone needs to know about this. Where this man was spotted in Evesham is close to lots of primary schools. It is a worry as a parent but it important to get the message out.

“I am sure a few parents went to the bus stop the next day with their kids. There is more chance of catching if more people know. It is not normal behaviour.”

The e-mail sent to parents was entitled “St Benedict's Catholic High School: Suspicious Activity”, and read: “We have today been notified of further suspicious activity near school buses by Warwickshire County Council Transport Operations.

Please speak to your children about the importance of being very vigilant on the way to and from school.”

The message went on to detail the man’s behaviour adding it was ‘consistent with a report received before half term of a similar incident in the Bidford on Avon area... involving a black car’.

British Transport Police confirmed they are investigating.

A spokesman said: “Enquiries, including viewing CCTV footage, are ongoing to establish whether any offences have taken place.”

Anyone with information should call British Transport Police on 0800 405040, or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 and quote reference 252 of 27/02/13.