Detectives investigating four suspicious approaches to local children

The first incident, during which a man in a dark coloured car approached an eight-year-old boy and asked him if he wanted to go bowling, occurred at around 7.30pm on Monday, October 1 at Fernagh Road/Kings Walk. A second incident was reported in Rathcoole the following evening when a nine-year-old boy was approached at Green Walk in similar circumstances.

Also on October 2, a man in a silver jeep is reported to have approached an 11-year-old boy in Queens Park, Glengormley at around 8.30am, and on October 10 police received a report at around 7.45pm of a man in a dark coloured van approaching a 10-year-old boy at Tulleevin Walk, Rathfern. In each of the instances the children did the right thing and ran away.

“Detectives are currently thoroughly investigating these reports and will seek to establish if there is any similarity or connection between them,” a PSNI spokesperson said.

“We would encourage anyone who notices any suspicious activity to report it to us on 0845 600 8000 or via 999,” she added.