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Fears after driver approaches teenage girl in Sandgate Hill, Folkestone
11:35, 19 December 2019
updated: 08:46, 20 December 2019
A teenage girl was left feeling 'shaky' after a driver approached her at a bus stop and offered her a lift.
The incident, which happened in Sandgate Hill in Folkestone, has now sparked a warning from worried mum Charly Ball for other parents to be vigilant.
Gypsy, who is 15, was waiting at the bus stop at around 9pm last night when a black people carrier being driven by a man pulled up next to her.
The teenager, who was on her way home, assumed he was there to meet two boys who were also waiting at the stop, but instead he spoke to her.
Mrs Ball, 34, explains: "He leant over and opened the passenger door and spoke to my daughter.
"He asked if she wanted a lift. She said no. He asked if she was sure and she said no again and told him to go away."
The man drove off.
Gypsy, who called her parents to report the incident, said: "I was feeling on edge and thought to myself I hope this bus comes soon."
Mrs Ball, from Dymchurch on Romney Marsh, adds: "I was scared and angry. I want to find this man.
"Gypsy was quite shaken up when she got home. She was sensible and told him no, but I just want to make sure no one else is targeted."
Mrs Ball also posted about the incident on Facebook.
Her post reads: "Please tell your children there is a man in a black van/car that is driving around attempting to get children in his car.
"My daughter was approached last night by this man while she was waiting at the bus stop near Folkestone School For Girls.
"She didn’t get a good look as it was dark. He leaned over and opened his passenger door and offered her a lift she declined twice and told him to go away. Just please tell your children to be vigilant."
A police spokesman said: "Kent Police has received a report a girl was spoken to by a man driving a car in Sandgate Hill, Folkestone, at around 9pm on Wednesday, December 18.
"The incident was reported at 11.46am on 19 December and no threats, or attempts to make physical contact, have been disclosed.
"Initial enquiries to establish the full circumstances are ongoing."
The incident echoes another case which happened in Hospital Hill on Tuesday, December 10 and involved 13 year old Bobby Hills.
Bobby was cycling to school when he was twice approached by a man in a van who offered him a lift. He refused both offers.
Similarly, another incident happened on Tuesday, November 26 in Downs Road when a teenage girl was spoken to by a man driving a black van.
The girl did not engage in conversation with the man and walked away down an alley.
Police say inquiries continue to establish the circumstances surrounding these two incidents.
