Worryingly-high numbers of children have been approached by suspicious strangers in the Maldon area, according to police.
It has been revealed that most of the incidents are not even reported to officers.
Ray Stannard, crime reduction officer at Maldon police, said talks at the recent Crucial Crew sessions, when hundreds of children across the district take part in presentations with various community groups, resulted in the shocking revelations.
He said: "It is very worrying that in one group of about 20 Maldon and Heybridge children, at least three of them said either they or someone they knew, such as a brother or sister, had been approached by a stranger.
"This is a very high number in such a small group of children, and there were some quite disturbing stories.
"People tend to think that because this is a quiet rural area things like that don't happen, but they very easily could.
"Just because we haven't had a child that has gone off with someone does not mean it will not happen.
"It is also worth remembering that both girls and boys can become targets."
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Tuesday, September 20, 2005
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