POLICE have urged residents to help identify the owner of a green vehicle who has been spotted approaching children as young as five in and around Knaphill.
Officers are investigating after three incidents were reported of a man in a green vehicle talking to minors, in one case even offering them money.
The first incident happened on Sunday, May 5 when an unknown driver approached two girls in Nursery Road, Knaphill.
The incident was reported to officers by the father of a five-year-old who said he had seen her talking to a man in an “old-style” green vehicle. He became suspicious and called out to his daughter, which prompted the man to drive away.
Officers received reports of a man in a similarly described car stopping near a five-year-old girl outside the Co-op supermarket in the High Street on April 29.
In this instance, the girl said the man pulled up alongside her and asked if she wanted a pound coin.
She took the money but threw it on the ground because she said it felt plastic. The man is described as white with a wrinkled face and hands.
The latest incident happened on Monday morning when a 12-year-old secondary school pupil was approached in Raglan Road at the junction with Hermitage Road around 8am.
The man was again driving a green vehicle.
Neighbourhood Commander Inspector John Davies said: “Firstly, I would like to reassure the community that we are aware of these incidents and are investigating to try to establish what has taken place. The Safer Neighbourhood Team are working closely with the local community and has stepped up patrols in the area.
“We do no have a lot of information at the moment but would encourage anyone who is approached by a man in a car matching this description to contact the police.
“We have stepped up patrols in Knaphill and will be working with the local community to try to establish what exactly has taken place.”