School kids in Jumeirah approached by strangers

Published Tuesday, December 06, 2011

By VM Sathish

Young girl and boy students of various schools in Dubai, and their parents, have been asked to keep away from strangers, including women, after reports of students being approached near schools in the Jumeirah area of Dubai.

The principal of at least one of the schools here, who asked not to be names, raised the alarm after being alerted about an incident.

“I have received reports of children being approached by strangers in the vicinity of some schools, especially in the Jumeirah area. A female secondary school student was approached by man in a car at the end of last week,” the school official told Emirates 24|7.

Fortunately a parent from the same school was passing by and escorted the young girl to a group of friends.

“A primary pupil was approached by a woman in the ‘Town Centre’ complex and asked to get into her car. His mum was on the scene, however, and took him away before anything happened,” an official of another school in the area added.

School authorities have shared the information and have alerted all parents about the potential dangers of school children interacting with strangers.

“Where ever possible, they should walk in groups. We will also be highlighting these issues in school assemblies and in the classroom. It is always good to prepare our children before anything serious can happen,” one school principal said.

John Adams, a parent of a student at a school located in Jumeirah said: “I am worried about these reports. I have told my children never to get in a stranger’s car or even talk to one.”

Most school premises in the area have closed circuit television monitoring the outsides of the school gates, but there are several blind spots as well.

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