Here’s everything we know about a string of concerning incidents in Chippenham.
Four alleged occurrences over the past week have involved either women or children who have been approached in worrying circumstances.
Case 1: A 12-year-old boy was approached by a masked man in Woodlands Road at around 3.20pm on Wednesday (29 January), as he walked home from school.
The suspect attempted to grab him in the area of Canterbury Street and Downing Street, and reportedly had a car – believed to be a Mercedes – parked nearby with the engine running.
His mother said: ‘My son is very lucky and also knew how to defend himself.’
Police posted an appeal for witnesses on Facebook, describing the incident as a “disturbance”. However, it appears the post has since been deleted.
They described the suspect as being of mixed race, aged in his 30s, about six-foot tall and of medium build. He is thought to have been wearing denim shorts, a black hoodie and a black face mask.
Case 2: A 14-year-old girl was approached by an unknown man in a car and repeatedly offered a lift in Union Road, near Chippenham railway station the following day (Thursday, 30 January).
Local schools issued warnings to parents and carers – recommending that children walk to and from school in groups, not alone, and report concerns to the police.
Officers later arrested a 52-year-old man on suspicion of attempted kidnap. The force said that they have increased patrols.
Case 3: Four 17-year-old girls claim they went to McDonald’s in a car on Friday (31 January). When they left, they were followed home to Westcroft by a man driving in a car – which parked nearby for ten minutes.
It’s alleged the driver – a man – followed one of the girls on foot for a short time. Some of the incident was caught on CCTV, and it has been reported to the police.
In a statement, Wiltshire Police said: “Officers are appealing for information about a suspicious incident in Chippenham that took place at about 10.30pm on Friday (31/01).
“A teenager who was driving with her friends from the McDonalds in Bath Road, Chippenham, reported being followed by a person in a white estate car (make unknown).
“The vehicle followed them to where they parked up in Westcroft where it parked for a short while before leaving.
“The driver was described as being an overweight white male with balding short hair.
“If you witnessed what took place or if you have any dashcam footage taken from the date and location, please contact us on 101 quoting log 54250013207.”
Case 4: A young woman alleged that she was followed by a man driving grey Mercedes alongside her slowly in Bristol Road at around 6.30am on Sunday morning (2 February).
She said that the vehicle repeatedly pulled onto the curb next to her. The woman took to social media to warn others, and has since reported her concerns to the police.
In a statement, Wiltshire Police said: “Officers would like to hear from anyone who was in Bristol Road, Chippenham at about 6.30am on Sunday morning (02/02) following a reported suspicious incident.
“A woman was approached by a man driving a dark grey Mercedes estate car who pulled onto the kerb next to her twice.
“The driver was described as being in his mid 30s, having a black beard, black hair and round glasses.
“If you witnessed what took place or if you have any dashcam footage taken from the date and location, please contact us on 101 quoting log 54250013652.”
In a further comment, a force spokesperson said that the four incidents aren’t thought to be linked but investigating officers are “keeping an open mind”.
