Police are urging residents to consider their own personal safety as officers investigate three similar reports of women being approached by three men in a car in Thanet.
Officers are working to determine whether they are linked, based on the similarities reported by the victims in each incident.
In all reports, women or teenage girls have reported having seen what is believed to be three men travelling in a brown car which stops nearby before one of the men approaches them.
The victims have described some of the men as having dark hair and speaking with foreign accents.
On August 13 three men are reported to have tried to drag a 13-year-old girl into their vehicle. It happened just off Cecil Square in Margate at around 3pm.
The girl’s mum, Ramsgate nurse Kirstie McCann, arrived to pick her daughter up and saw the incident. The men drove off after she starting shouting at them. The men were described as being in a mud brown Citroen. (Police reference 46/160966/19)
Second report in Birchington
A second report has been made of a 16-year-old girl being approached in Birchington just a week later on August 20.
In a warning post the girl’s mother said: “My 16 year old daughter was just on her way home from work, walking along Borrow Road /Park Avenue area and was approached by a brown car with three Eastern European men. The car stopped and one of them approached her. She luckily ran away, phoned me, and was near enough for me to meet her. She’s very shaken. Please be vigilant.”
The incident happened at 10pm in Park Lane.The girl ran away from the area without further issue. (Police reference 46/160993/19).
Third report in Ramsgate
A third incident is reported to have taken place on August 21 between 7.45pm and 8pm, at the junction of an alley leading to Manston Road and Helvellyn Avenue, Ramsgate. A woman called police to report she had been grabbed by a man in a car but was able to free herself and run away. (Police reference 46/161554/19).
Extra patrols
Officers are carrying out patrols and enquiries in the affected areas and people are asked to pay extra attention regarding their own safety, such as avoid walking alone and ensure you choose well-lit roads.
Always be aware of your surroundings and the people around you and avoid distractions such as looking at your mobile phone or listening to music on headphones.
People with information regarding any of the three reports are asked to call Kent Police on 01843 222289 quoting the relevant reference number.
Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or using the anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org
