Academy issues warning after attempted abduction near school

A local academy has issued a warning to pupils and appealed to parents for support following an attempted abduction of one of its students near the school.

Newman College on Broadway has sent letters home to parents following the serious community safety incident, which took place yesterday (Wednesday). 

The mother of the 13-year-old girl, Michelle Healey, said her daughter has been left traumatised after the man grabbed her from behind and threatened her to stay quiet.

She said: "My daughter is a pupil at Newman College and she walked towards McDonalds with her friends and then they went their separate ways. My daughter walked through a ginnel near Morley Road in Chadderton and then was grabbed by a man, who told her to stay quiet and not to scream.

"At first, she thought it was a friend messing about but when she turned around, the man said 'don't look at me'. Luckily, she managed to get away by pulling his hands down and kicking him. She then approached some teenagers and a lady who helped her. She has been left very shaken by it all.

"I want to thank the two teenage girls and the lovely lady who walked her home. The police have also been incredible."

Mrs Healey urged pupils to stay safe and to try not to use airpods, adding: "Luckily, my daughter wasn't using her airpods and she was able to hear the man. If she did then it could have been worse. I would ask children to never trust anyone and stick together when walking home."

The school has also shared important safe travel advice with students and made parents aware of the increased police presence in the area in the next few days. 

Helen Pickavance, Assistant Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead, said in the letter: “You may already be aware from social media that there was an attempted abduction of a young person very local to school in the last 24 hours. 

“The incident has been reported to the police and is the subject of an active investigation with progress already being made. There will be an increased police presence near Newman College for the next few days as an additional measure to ensure our students feel safe during their journey home. 

“Whilst we believe the risk to our students is small, we have also taken the opportunity to share some safe travel advice with all of our students this afternoon to ensure that they take extra care on their way home.” 

The school has advised students to not travel home alone and stay in groups of two and three at least, don’t use short cuts – stick to main routes, make sure your mobile phones have enough charge before leaving home in the morning, go straight home with no hanging about in parks and isolated areas, be aware of your surroundings – avoid wearing headphones/airpods and if you are worried, come back to school or go into a local shop/primary school/other safe space or approach a safe adult. 

Miss Pickavance added: “Please could we ask for your support in reiterating this advice when your child arrives home and before they set off tomorrow morning. 

“Information has also been shared with other local school settings so the same advice can be shared with their pupils and parents/carers as appropriate.”

The man is described as slim build, caucasian,, 5ft 7, with a local accent. He was wearing black trainers, black hoodie with the hood up. He had a snood covering his mouth and nose. He has dark eyes and dark thick eyebrows.

Anyone with any information about him should call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.