Parents reminded to discuss street safety with kids after girl followed

Halton Police are looking for a young man who followed a 12-year-old girl while she was walking home along Argyll Rd. last Tuesday afternoon. Police say the incident occurred at approximately 4 p.m. when the girl was walking home from St. Catherine of Alexandria School. When the girl entered her home locking the doors she could see the man loitering outside on the sidewalk. Police were called. They checked the area but found no one in the area matching the description. The man is described as white, 16 to 18 years, with light-coloured hair. He was wearing baggy grey and blue camouflage pants. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 905-878-5511 ext. 2105 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). As a result of the recent incident police remind parents to review with their younger children important street safety precautions: · Play safe and play together. Do not play in remote areas of parks or take short cuts through the woods. · Do not loiter on the way to or from school. · Do not go anywhere with a stranger, and do not accept rides for any reason. Do not be afraid to say "no" to any request, and run away quickly. · Advise an adult of any suspicious strangers right away. · Do not accept any treats such as candies, toys or money from a stranger for any reason. · Always notify your parents where you are and where you are going. For teens, parents are urged to stress the importance of: · Never accepting rides from strangers. · Walking to and from school with friends when possible, and not taking shortcuts through remote areas if alone. · Notifying your parents where you are and where you are going, especially if it is a change in routine.