Second 'child approach' in Derry

An eight-year-old girl in Derry has been approached by three men in a white van, it has been reported.

It is the second time in one week that a suspicious child approach in the Ballymagroarty area has been reported to police.

The latest incident happened in the Sheelin Park area on Thursday at 2.50pm.

It is believed that one man from the van approached the girl and grabbed her arm - but she broke free and ran away.

Although the child was not injured, she was left badly shaken by the incident.

The man is described as being in his 20s, around 5ft 11" in height, of a tanned complexion and with discoloured teeth.

He is described as wearing a white tracksuit top, blue jeans and brown shoes.

Meanwhile, a 10 yr-old girl was approached by an unknown man in the Ennis Place area last Thursday.

The man, who is believed to be in his twenties, grabbed her by the arm - but she managed to run away and make her way home.

Police are asking anyone who can help identify the male to contact them.

He is described as around 5ft 10in tall, skinny build, with short spiked dark ginger hair and was wearing a gold stud in his ear.

He was dressed in a grey coloured hooded tracksuit top and black tracksuit bottoms with the word 'NIKE' printed up the leg.

Mark H Durkan, SDLP Foyle MLA, has urged people to be vigilant.

"I urge parents, particularly, to ensure that their children are educated and informed about stranger danger and to know their whereabouts at all times.

"I also appeal to people in Ballymagroarty and the wider Derry area to beware of this type of activity and to report anything suspicious to the police."

Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact the PSNI.