Sex fiends entices boy into van

And today police were criticised for waiting nearly a week before alerting the public about the attack.

The 13-year-old was assaulted after he climbed into a van when the driver stopped and asked him for directions in Burnley.

Fortunately the passenger door had remained open and the teenager was able to escape before the white van sped off.

The incident, took place at 10.30am on Thursday, October 20, in Todmorden Road, near to its junction with Oxford Road.

Police say the boy, who was not injured but left shaken, was not at school as he was on a break.

Det Sgt Russ Procter said: "He had been walking down Todmorden Road when he was approached by a male driving a white van. He asked him for directions and got in the van and the male has then indecently assaulted him.

"He only got in the van because the man asked him for directions and said there was a map in the van with which he could show him. He got in the van but the door was never closed.

"He's concerned as to why it's happened and his parents are concerned but in himself he's OK.

"We are concerned that there is someone out there approaching schoolchildren. He was not hurt but obviously we are concerned and want to urge parents to warn their children not to get in stranger's vehicles or approach strangers.

"If someone saw the vehicle we would urge them to contact us."

Police say the boy, who was not injured but left shaken, was not at school as he was on a break.

Det Sgt Russ Procter said: "He had been walking down Todmorden Road when he was approached by a male driving a white van. He asked him for directions and the boy got in the van. The man then indecently assaulted him.

"The driver had said there was a map in the van that he could show the boy. He got in the van but the door was never closed.

"He's concerned as to why it's happened and his parents are concerned but in himself he's OK.

"We are concerned that there is someone out there approaching schoolchildren. He was not hurt but obviously we are concerned and want to urge parents to warn their children not to get in stranger's vehicles or approach strangers.

"If someone saw the vehicle we would urge them to contact us."

The offender was described as "Maltese looking" with dark skin, aged between 30 and 35 and believed to be driving a Transit-style van with a "52" registration plate.

The incident came just days after secondary schools warned parents not to let their children walk to school alone after two schoolgirls were indecently assaulted by a stalking sex pest.

Police said they are not linking the incidents.

However the fact that details of the attack were not released until yesterday has incensed the local community.

Burnley Wood ward councillor Denis Otter said: "I'm surprised at the police. Usually these things come out straight away and to be forewarned it to be forearmed. People should know as soon as possible."

He labelled the offender "sick" and said he was "disgusted" by the assault.

He added: "Parents will be very concerned about it and need to warn their children about personal safety as it's something they shouldn't forget about. It only needs to happen once."

Burnley Wood Community Action Group chairman Brian Fenn said: "It's concerning that we have not been told earlier. I do think there should have been some kind of notification telling us someone like this was in the area. Some kind of information should have been given to us.

"We deplore this kind of act and we will be keeping vigilance in the area. My concern is the safety of pupils inside and outside school."

Mr Fenn said he would raise the case with the area's community officer.

A spokesman for the personal safety pressure group the Suzy Lamplugh Trust said: "It is important if the police have specific information to warn people about it. It's helpful to warn people as soon as possible.

"We have to get into children's heads that people will try all sorts of tricks to get you into a vehicle. The important thing is to teach children you just don't get into vans."

She added that in one incident a man deliberately broke a puppy's leg in a bid to get a schoolgirl, alerted by the pet's whimpering, into his car to help.

Inspector Dave Croll said: "Clearly, the full facts of a case have to be explored before the police are able to publicise incidents. This involves conducting interviews and other inquiries which can sometimes take some time, depending on the individual case.

"Now we have the full facts we would appeal for anyone who may be able to assist us with our inquiries to come forward."

Anyone with information should call Burnley CID on 01282 472140.