POLICE have issued a warning to local parents and children after two schoolgirls were approached by men in the last week.

Last Wednesday saw a teenager walking to school in the Greaves area followed by a man. As she realised she was being followed, she tried to get away from the man, who subsequently grabbed her.

As she kicked and screamed he slapped her, but she was subsequently able to escape to safety.

Police describe the suspect as white, 5ft 7ins, thin with a bright green teeshirt, jeans, a baseball cap and a gold ring with a black insert as well as a mole on his little finger.

A second schoolgirl was waiting at a bus stop on Winfell Drive at 8am on Tuesday when a car stopped next to her. The passenger got out and offered her a lift, which she refused.

As she protested, the man grabbed her arm and attempted to drag her into the car, before being disturbed by the arrival of the bus.

Police describe the passenger as white, 6ft tall, 30-35 years old with wavy black hair with a grey patch and a moustache wearing jeans and a teeshirt. The driver was described as a male with a Liverpudlian accent, while the car was blue.

Police say they have not dismissed the possibility that the two incidents are connected.

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