Parents on Portland have been left deeply concerned following reports of two foreign men harassing children at Easton Gardens. The incident occurred on Thursday 11th April while a group of ten children, aged between 9 to 11 years old and comprising both boys and girls, were enjoying themselves in the park. Witnesses recount the distressing experience as these men attempted to engage with the children under suspicious pretenses.
According to eyewitness accounts, the two men, accompanied by others, approached the group of children with the intention of joining their football game. However, it quickly became apparent that their motives were questionable when one of the men began offering money to the children in exchange for allowing them to play. This behavior understandably alarmed the children, who refused the offer and attempted to distance themselves from the situation.
Despite the children’s clear discomfort and attempts to move away, the men persisted in their attempts to interact with them. Their tactics escalated to offering sweets to the children, which only served to heighten the children’s unease and fear. Witnesses to the incident noted that the children appeared visibly scared and alarmed by the men’s behavior, which included one of them recording the children with a phone—a move that further compounded the already tense atmosphere.
The situation took an even more disturbing turn when one of the siblings in the group was followed by the men around the Easton Co-op, where they reportedly winked at her and continued to record her. This targeted and inappropriate behavior towards a child has added to the concerns of both parents and community members alike.
Local authorities have been alerted to the incident, and parents are calling for increased vigilance and safety measures in community spaces like parks and playgrounds. Speaking on the matter, Brogan, a concerned parent whose child was present during the incident, emphasized the need for swift action and heightened awareness:
“As parents, we trust that our children can enjoy public spaces like parks safely. Incidents like these highlight the importance of community vigilance and ensuring that our children feel safe and protected at all times. We urge authorities to investigate this matter thoroughly and take necessary steps to prevent such occurrences in the future.”
Brogan also described the males” One was wearing a bobble hat, white t-shirt, black hoody, black addidas trackies and black trainers and the other had dark hair, beard, navy white striped jumper, navy shorts and sliders and both spoke a foreign langauge. “
After being challenged by parents, the males reportedly said they both come from “Calais beach off a boat” and were residents at Maritime House in Southwell.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for communities to come together to ensure the safety and well-being of children in public spaces. Parents and guardians are encouraged to have open conversations with their children about safety protocols and to report any suspicious behavior to the relevant authorities promptly.
As the investigation into this troubling incident continues, the hope is that swift action will be taken to address the concerns raised by parents and community members, reinforcing the message that the safety of our children is paramount.