Police investigate alleged child snatch attempts in Scottish Highlands

Officers are investigating reports of men asking children to get in cars.

Police are investigating two alleged child snatch attempts on the outskirts of Inverness.

Officers described the incidents as ‘worrying’ and have made schools aware of the events in what The Press and Journal today described as a ‘city-wide alert’.

Officers have asked anyone with information to come forward. Picture: TSPL

The latest incident, on Tuesday day time in the Culloden area, involved a young boy being approached by men in a blue car.

The scare followed a similar incident in nearby Westhill last month.

Inspector Alastair Garrow said: “The boys refused to get in the car and are safe and well.

“This is a worrying incident and we have carried out a review of CCTV and door-to-door inquiries to ascertain who these two men are.

“One of the men is described as having a short beard, brown hair wearing a blue/red jacket or jumper.

“One of the men is described as having a short beard and brown hair, wearing a blue and red jacket or jumper. They were driving a dark blue car.”

Councillor Ken Gowans added: “This is deeply worrying. We were concerned about the initial incident in Westhill, but we now have this one in Culloden, again in daylight.

“I have contacted the chief executive of Highland Council and she has taken appropriate action to raise awareness of the dangers on our streets for young children.

“It is deeply worrying these incidents are taking place in the Culloden and Westhill areas of the city, with similar descriptions about the men approaching youngsters in a blue car.”

The first incident involved two boys, aged 6 and 10, at around 4.30pm on February 23.

A car pulled up and one of the men inside asked the boys to get into the car.

Anyone with information should call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.