21-year-old Hannah Rowe said she was traumatized when a woman attempted to kidnap her 2-year-old girl.
The middle-aged woman put her hand out and told her daughter: “Come with me.”
Ms. Rowe said her daughter, Alice, was walking next to her when the woman tried to take her child. The kidnapper attempted to lure the young girl while she was taking her to a swimming lesson.
“Alice was right next to me, only 30cm away, when this woman came out of nowhere, held out her hand and said ‘come with me’ to Alice,” Ms. Rowe shared.
“I grabbed Alice’s arm and walked away as fast as I could.”
The middle-aged woman, believed to be aged between 45 and 55, was wearing a blue coat at the time of the incident.
“This woman followed us for a little bit down the road, and then I lost sight of her. I didn’t say anything to the woman – my first thought was to get away as quickly as possible.
“It has really left me shaken up. She did not come across as friendly. It felt like she was trying to lure her away.
“I would never want my daughter to feel scared around people, but you can’t be too careful. I’m very aware that these things do happen but you never think it will happen to you.”
Authorities are investigating the incident that occurred in Fareham, a small market town between Southampton and Portsmouth.
According to police, this is already the second of its nature in the town in the past two weeks. Schools have warned parents and guardians about the possible danger.
“We received a report of a suspicious incident whereby a woman held out her hand towards a young child in Pulheim Parade, Fareham,” said a Hampshire Constabulary spokesperson.
“No physical contact was made with the child.
“The Fareham Neighbourhood Policing Team are making enquiries, and we continue to encourage people to report suspicious incidents to us.”
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