A pair of school children received a scare from a driver in the College Heights area over the weekend. Police are investigating and called the situation suspicious.
Mounties were alerted on Saturday at about 4:45 p.m.
"Police were advised that a 16-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy were followed by a man in a white van in the St. Mark Crescent area," said Prince George RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Craig Douglass. "Both children ran to a residence known to them and reported the incident."
Officers attended the area and made patrols for vehicles matching the description, however the vehicle was not located.
However, police got some descriptions on which to proceed and they hope the public can help bring them closer to the person of interest.
"The vehicle was described as a white van with an 'N' sign on the back. No license plate, make or model was obtained," said Douglass. "The driver was described as a South Asian male, approximately 35 to 40 years old with a slim build. Investigators would like to speak to the person or persons involved."
The Prince George RCMP would like to remind parents to speak to their children about personal safety. Douglass recommended the RCMP's Street Proofing website for more information.
If you have any information about this incident, please contact the Prince George RCMP at 250-561-3300 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.pgcrimestoppers.bc.ca (English only). You do not have to reveal your identity to Crime Stoppers.
Safety tips for children
Know your home address and landline phone number.
Know how to contact your parents on their cell phones or at work.
Know how and when to call 911 in an emergency from a landline phone and from a cell phone.
Establish a secret password for your family. This should be used in emergencies to identify a safe person other than their parent or caregiver.
Play "what if" games with younger children to reinforce these safety messages.
If possible, give your child a cell phone when they are away from home.
Children and teens should play and walk to places with a buddy. If they become separated or lost, they should tell someone with a name tag (for e.g. a cashier or security guard) immediately. If there is no one with a name tag, preferably they should tell a female.
Avoid long conversations with strangers. If someone you do not know asks you personal questions - like "Where do you live?" - do not answer. Run away or leave the situation immediately.
It's OK to say no to adults who ask you to do something for them, such as: help them find a lost pet, join them in an activity or game, or give them directions.
Never walk with or accept a ride, money or gifts from strangers or even someone you may know, without checking with your parents.
Keep a safe distance (two arm lengths) from strangers and cars that approach you.
Run to a safe location like an open store.
If a vehicle is involved, try to take notes describing the suspicious vehicle, license plate and the stranger's description. Call 911 for help
If you are taking a public bus, always sit near the bus driver.
Reduce the use of headphones or use of electronic devices that can distract you from your surroundings when you are walking.
If a person tries to grab you: scream loudly, make a lot of noise, and try to create a disturbance (e.g. knock things over, scatter belongings, kick wildly).
Shout, "Help, this person is not my parent!"
-- Source: Prince George RCMP
