FEARS that a stalker could be targeting youngsters in villages around the Sudbury area have increased after a 15-year-old girl was offered a lift by a man in a white van.

Dave Gooderham

FEARS that a pervert could be targeting youngsters in villages around the Sudbury area have increased after a 15-year-old girl was offered a lift by a man in a white van.

The frightened teenager was approached outside a factory in Lower Road, Glemsford, but declined to get in the vehicle before the man drove off.

The incident on Wednesday night comes after a similar vehicle was spotted outside Stoke by Nayland Middle School and also Bures where a 10-year-old girl was followed on her way to school.

Police presence near the school has increased and teachers have warned parents to be on their guard following the two suspicious incidents.

A spokesman for Suffolk police confirmed they were linking the crimes due to the vehicle involved although the descriptions of the men differed.

In the latest incident in Glemsford, which happened between 5.30pm and 5.50pm on Wednesday, the 15-year-old declined the lift from the van driver who then drove off towards Long Melford when traffic started to queue behind it.

The man has been described as white, in his 50s, of muscular build with short grey hair and stubble and wearing a blue top. The van is said to be white with green lettering on the side.

The earlier incidents near Stoke by Nayland Middle School saw staff write to parents urging them to remain vigilant. Last Thursday, a 10-year-old girl was left shaken and frightened when she was followed in Nayland Road, Bures.

Her mother, who did not want to be named, said: “It began when she went to the bus stop and this man pulled up in a van staring at her. She felt uncomfortable so she decided to run to the next stop. Whenever she stopped he would stop too.”

Middle school headteacher David Livingstone said a letter was sent to parents after a second parent reported a van driver “acting suspiciously” near the school on Monday morning. The man in the van was described as in his 30s with short dark curly hair.

Anyone with information about any of these incident should contact Sudbury police on 01284 774100 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.