White van man 'attempts to kidnap' two Walsall schoolboys

The incident took place on Lichfield Road near to Castlefort Junior Mixed and Infant School in Castlefort Road in Walsall Wood.

The two boys, both aged 10, were on Lichfield Road on their way back from school when the van driver, described by police as being of Asian appearance, asked them to get into his vehicle. The boys declined and returned home unharmed when they told their parents who informed the police.

Police have reassured parents that they believe this is an isolated incident.

A West Midlands Police spokesman said: "Police were alerted to an alleged attempted kidnap on Lichfield Road in Walsall just after 3.40pm on Friday, September 8.

"It is reported that a man, who was sitting in the passenger's side of a white van asked two 10-year-old boys on their way back from school to get in. The van is described as being distinct in that it had blacked out windows and duct tape covering part of them.

"The boys returned home unharmed, where they informed their parents.

"Anyone with information can call police on 101."

Castlefort School, where the two boys attended, will be holding a stranger awareness talk with its pupils this week in the wake of last week's incident.

A statement released by the school reads: "Two Castlefort pupils walking home have been approached by a man driving a white van on Lichfield Road coming down from Shire Ridge.

"Both boys are safe and police are being informed. Please be vigilant and advise children to take care especially if walking home alone. We will be holding a 'stranger awareness' talk with our pupils."

Just hours later the same day, police attended a second incident outside the Lichfield Road KFC involving a young girl.

But a spokesman for West Midlands Police said its investigations 'currently allude' to the Castlefort School incident being a one-off incident.