Girl stopped by man 'did the right thing' - police

The road junction next to a roundabout. There is a pedestrian crossing with traffic lights.
The schoolgirl told her parents what happened and they reported it, police say [Google]

An 11-year-old girl "did the right thing" when she was stopped by a man who asked her to get into his van, police have said.

The youngster was walking to school on Wednesday at about 08:00 GMT when she said she was approached at the traffic lights on the B1365 junction with Stainton Way, Middlesbrough.

She ran off towards the school and her parents reported what happened to police.

PC Ian Pinchen, from Middlesbrough police station, said: "Thankfully the girl is safe, and she did the right thing by not engaging with the man and informing her parents who rightly reported it."

The force said it was trying to identify the man, who is described as aged between 30 and 40-years-old.

Anyone with dashcam footage from the area or information should contact police.

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