Man tries to snatch boy near primary school: Police step up patrols as they hunt suspect who reached out to grab the child while walking with his mother

• The incident occurred near a primary school in Leeds at the end of the day 

Police are stepping up patrols as they hunt for a man who allegedly tried to snatch a boy when he was walking with his mother near to a Leeds primary school.

The incident yesterday afternoon, near Westroyd Primary School, occurred at the end of the school day and sent shockwaves through the Farsley suburb of Leeds.

West Yorkshire Police said it was reported to them on Wednesday by school staff at 3.33pm.

An investigation has since been launched and parents with children at the school are being reassured that police patrols have been boosted in the area.

The mother was walking with her son in Frances Street at 3pm when she ‘became aware of a man acting suspiciously and reaching out towards the child’, the force said.

The incident yesterday afternoon, near Westroyd Primary School, occurred at the end of the school day and sent shockwaves through the Farsley suburb of Leeds

A spokesperson continued: ‘She challenged him and he left the scene.’

The suspect is described as Asian, aged in his twenties, with short black hair.

He was wearing grey jogging bottoms, a long-sleeved top and white shoes.

Detectives from Leeds District CID are carrying out enquiries into the incident and want to hear from witnesses.

Anyone with information should call 101 and quote reference number 13230685740 or report online using the force’s Live Chat function.

A spokesman said: ‘Officers from the neighbourhood policing team have increased their patrols in the area to reassure the community.

‘They are keeping key representatives and partners updated as enquiries progress.’

The school, which also has a nursery and has almost 230 children aged three to eleven, has been contacted for comment.

Source: Read Full Article