Police investigate separate reports of a woman with a knife and men approaching children in Sevenoaks and Borough Green

Police have acted swiftly to give reassure parents in the Sevenoaks area that it takes the safety of all children very seriously following separate incidents of potentially suspicious activity over two days close to schools.

Kent Police confirmed it received three reports of suspicious activity across Sevenoaks and Borough Green on Wednesday and Thursday 20 & 21 November 2019.

On Wednesday at 3.58pm, a woman is reported to have been seen in an area of woodland off Seal Hollow Road, not far from Trinity School in Sevenoaks, carrying a knife. She is not reported to have approached, or made threats towards anyone and she was not located despite an extensive search of the area by officers.

Earlier the same morning, a van driver is reported to have spoken from his vehicle to a child who was walking in Wrotham Road, Borough Green, and no threats, or physical contact, are reported to have been made.

The final incident is reported to have taken place the following day near the same woodland as the woman was seen with the knife. Between 8.30am and 9am three men are reported to have approached a school pupil before two of them took hold of the child’s arm. The pupil was able to run away from the men. Enquiries are ongoing and, at present, a review of available CCTV has not identified any suspects.

A number of local schools were informed of the incidents and Inspector Kerry Rothwell, from Kent Police, said: “I want to assure parents that we take the safety of all children very seriously and we work closely with schools, and other partners, to ensure no child is placed in danger. As part of these efforts, we have re-iterated some safety advice to schools.

“Our officers regularly patrol the areas affected and, although our enquiries are ongoing, there is nothing to suggest these reports are linked in any way.

“Anyone who has a concern about suspicious behaviour should contact us on 101, or 999 if a crime is in progress. Alternatively, reports can be made to us through the online reporting facility of our website.”