Warning as man tries to snatch youngsters

A man attempted to snatch two children from the same Black Country street within days – but was thwarted by a passer-by, police revealed today.

An 11-year-old boy and an eight-year-old girl were approached in St Mark's Road, Tipton, by a man who told them "your mother wants to see you, come with me."

In the first attempt, on March 4 at 6.30pm, the man grabbed the girl by the shoulders and tried to get her into his car.

A week later at the same time, a man chased the boy along Sandgate Road and into St Mark's Road. The boy's mother said: "My son was on his way back from his friend's house where they had been doing their homework.

"As he walked home, which is only around the corner, this man pulled up and said 'Oi, your mother wants you, come with me'. My son ran away but the man chased him."

The 29-year-old housewife who also knows the family of the girl, said: "He grabbed her by the shoulders and tried to get her into his car.

"A woman who was doing her shopping saw what was going on and threw down her bags and ran up to him."

Primary schools Ocker Hill and Glebefields have sent warning letters to parents.

Insp Gareth Guest, from West Bromwich Police Station, urged people to report any incidents to police.