Kidnap scare for girl ,10

Police have issued an alert to parents and carried out house-to-house inquiries after the bid to snatch the girl as she walked home. Parents are being urged to ensure their children are aware of the Stranger Danger rules.

The 10-year-old girl was approached by the man in Waterloo Road in the town shortly after 7pm on Saturday.

He claimed he had been told by her mother to take her home. The youngster ran off after telling him she was already on her way home and lived nearby.

Police have appealed for help in tracing the man who is described as white, 5ft 10in, about 30, of medium build, and clean shaven with a tanned complexion and short, brown hair. He was wearing a three-quarter length black coat and was last seen walking off in the direction of Hales Park.

Today police were also investigating reports of a man seen watching children playing in swimsuits in Kidderminster. A woman has reported that a man in a silver Corsa car was seen watching children playing at Brinton Crescent, near Brinton Park.

An adult realised the driver had been watching the children for about 45 minutes and, when approached, he drove off at speed. The man is described as grey haired, in his 50s, and was wearing a shirt and tie.

Although police are not linking the two reports they said "any incident involving concern for children was taken very seriously".

Chief Insp Jim Baker, of Kidderminster police, said: "We do not want to alarm children but we can protect them better by making them aware of potential dangers."

Anyone with information is being asked to call police on 08457 444 888.