TWO young girls have been praised by police for their actions after they were approached by a man in an East Yorkshire supermarket.
A nine-year-old girl was with her friend at the Morrisons supermarket in Welton Road, Brough, at about 11.45am on Monday, when the pair were approached by a man they did not know.
The man is alleged to have asked the girls to go outside with him.
The girls refused and ran away from the man to find one of their mums, who was shopping in the store.
The mum asked the man to leave the girls alone.
He was also asked to leave the store by staff members.
PC Richard Elgen, who is based at Brough Police Station, said: "The girls were very clever as they knew how to deal with the stranger.
"You should always say no to a stranger."
There have been a number of attempted abductions reported in the East Yorkshire area over the summer months.
Eight-year-old Matthew Hudson, of Park Avenue, west Hull, was playing outside his home in July, when he was approached by a strange man.
The man asked Matthew to get in his car, before threatening him and hitting him on the head.
Matthew's mother Claire has warned parents to be vigilant, as the school summer holidays come to an end.
She said: "I've always taught Matthew to scream and kick and act like an animal if anyone tried to grab him.
"Attempted abductions seem to be happening more often these days, or are being reported more.
"Children seem to be very aware of the clear message to say no to strangers and the whole stranger danger aspect.
"I know Matthew's school has done a lot of work on the topic of stranger danger, particularly in the run-up to the summer holidays."
Hundreds of parents were sent letters warning them about an alleged accosting close to North Ferriby Primary School, shortly before the summer holidays.
Headteacher Russ Orr said letters had been sent to parents of the 260 pupils at the school
He said: "We immediately held an assembly reminding children about stranger danger and organised for letters to be sent to parents."
Pupils at the school were also warned about getting into a car with someone they do not know.
Mr Orr said the warning was inspired by the case of April Jones, who was said to be "happy and smiling" when she got into the car of murderer Mark Bridger.
Letters were also sent to parents of children at Swanland Primary.
Pupils at the school were also given an assembly on "stranger danger".
Following what happened in Brough on Monday, police arrested a 43-year-old man.
He has since been released on police bail pending further enquiries.
A spokesman for Morrisons said: "We are assisting police with their enquiries following the incident."
Anyone with information should call Humberside Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
