SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland:

Police and school officials in Westmoreland are calling on students and parents to be vigilant on the roads, as there are believed to be unscrupulous characters who are on a mission to abduct women and children.

The matter came to the fore on Thursday when an attempt was allegedly made to kidnap a 12-year-old, female student of Petersfield High School while she waited for a taxi in her community.

The mother told reporters that her daughter was standing along the Georges Plain main road about 10 a.m. when a car with four males aboard pulled up at her feet. They invited her into the car and the youngster ran. She was acting on instructions her mother had given her a few days earlier.

The child reported that three of the men got out of the vehicle and chased her.

About an hour later, reporters were summoned to the neighbouring community of Jane Marks where citizens mobbed a man who they say was involved in the attempted kidnapping.

Prank

They say the man went to a basic school in the community and asked for a child who turned out to be non-existent. The suspicious residents then cornered the man and beat him severely.

He was rescued by the police who took him to hospital for treatment. The police say he will be interrogated in relation to the alleged kidnapping attempts.

Meanwhile, the Georges Plain Primary School closed after mid-morning break, as parents came for their children as a result of the news.

Officials at the school say they allowed only legitimate persons to collect the students. Classes resumed yesterday.

The police say there have been no reported cases of missing persons, however, people should be vigilant when in public areas and stay away from strangers and strange vehicles.

- Dalton Laing