My son was almost abducted. Just trying to spread the word.

[renruTnaI]

My 13 year old son was almost abducted. I mean, you think they're safe at 13, playing out with their friends, enjoying the summer's evenings, but things like this just prove to you how they're not ever safe and as parents the only thing we can do is spread the word and warn them which is exactly what I think saved my son from actually being abducted. It makes me feel physically sick about what could have happened. So I just want you to make sure that you warn your children, no matter what their age.

It was quite late in the evening but it was still quite light out and I have always tried to give him lots of independence, like being able to hang around with friends at the park etc so I have tried my best to never be overprotective. He was offered a really cool gift by an elderly man (who reminded him of his grandad he said to me) it didn't help that his phone had recently broken so I am sure the temptation was there but I think it's definitely the lessons I have taught him that have caused him to think twice and not go. It may have saved his life.

So please please please make sure you go over those simple safety tips with your children, not just when they're 5 or 10, but when they are teenagers too.

Thank you for reading

[CoraPirbright]

Goodness how frightening.

Where are you in the country and have you told the police?

[Notagainmun]

Have you called the police?

[renruTnaI]

Yes, police are aware. East Anglia.

[emotionsecho]

How frightening, OP.

[Missgraeme]

My daughter was nearly snatched from the amusements where we live - while the whole family (of 10!)were in there also! She is 9 and we go often and have the kids( 7up to 16) in sight but not reach - the security spotted a man watching +following her. They threw him out then the police came and we did statements. I know exactly how your stomach is feeling op!

[Laiste]

What did the man offer your son OP?

Good to be able to give examples of real life instances and the type of lure these people use.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

Really frightening. 13 is so young, they need to be aware.

[Queenbean]

An old man offered your son a gift, that was at his home, and then tried to get him in the car or something?

Not sure I understand! Hope he is ok

[chattygranny]

Interesting that it was an elderly man. My friend had a similar experience recently in a London park with her Grand-daughter and he was 65+ and either Italian or pretending to be. She told the police. I was surprised by it being an older man, I don't know why really. He was carrying a tricycle for what appeared to be a fictitious grandchild and tried to coax the child into some bushes luckily my friend was watching and ran over.

[Imnotaslimjim]

How terrifying for you but well done to him for being savvy enough to decline and to come and tell you!

[SilverBat]

What did he offer him?
How did your son respond?

[renruTnaI]

Sounds awful too about the amusements, it really is scary.

It was a new phone. No, he was just approached and was told that he will be given a phone if he comes with him, obviously by bloody chance he had broken his phone very recently so I'm just so relieved he followed his gut.

[insancerre]

Not sure I understand
How does offering a gift equate to a near abduction?

[renruTnaI]

The thing is, we all look at the elderly as vulnerable people, which I appreciate a lot are, but it's horrible to think that we teach our children to respect them and then something like this happens, just proves anyone is capable.

[JenLindley]

Anyone see that video of the girl being snatched right out of a shop in a split second? So scary how brazen these scumbags are! Glad your son was smart enough to refuse to go with him OP!

[renruTnaI]

Are you joking? Because he had to go with him to get it, of course there wasn't a bloody gift at the end of it.

[insancerre]

Whereabouts in east Anglia?

[renruTnaI]

Essex, why?

[SilverBat]

Lucky you have a sensible DS.

[insancerre]

Because I have family in that region

[TattyCat]

When my DTSD's had just turned 13, we were in an amusement arcade in Barmouth where they were playing the two pence drop a coin thingy. I noticed a man opposite also playing and watching one DSD really closely. He carried on for quite a while but I didn't take my eyes off him watching her. DSD wanted the toilet which was a distance away, so I took her but I have absolutely no doubt that he would have followed her had she gone alone.

[EmmelineW]

How scary, OP! Glad he was smart.

insancerre - that is pretty much the most well known abduction method. What would you call it? An elderly man being nice?

[NotEnoughTime]

renruTnal

for you

It's one of my worst nightmares.

for your DS-I have a DS who is a similar age and I know he would be really shaken up.

I'm so glad that you reported it to the police.

Best Wishes to you both.

[insancerre]

No but to be fair the op did miss out that bit in the post
A conversation with a man is not the same as an abduction attempt