Police are hunting a man wearing a blue dressing gown who is accused of chasing after children and threatening to stab them. A group of youngsters reportedly had to ask to get in a car after being threatened by the stranger in Little Chell Lane, Tunstall.
The alarm was raised shortly before 5pm yesterday (January 8) after the suspect was reportedly last seen on a field by Naylor Street, Pitshill. Officers were dispatched to the scene but were unable to find him. He is described as white, around 5ft 8ins tall, in his 30s, with a slim build and brown hair.
A warning was issued on social media last night. It read: “Anyone in the Tunstall/Pitshill and surrounding area beware. There is a man in his 30s wearing a blue dressing gown chasing young children and threatening to stab them. The alarmed children asked to get into a nearby car for safety and the police have been called. Last seen on the fields near to St Margaret Ward School.”
Staffordshire Police are now appealing for witnesses to come forward. A force spokesman said: “We were called to Little Chell Lane, Stoke-on-Trent, at 4.55pm yesterday following a report of a man making threats of violence. The suspect was reportedly last seen on a field by Naylor Street. He was wearing a dressing gown.
“Officers carried out an area search but did not find anyone matching the description of the suspect. No-one was injured.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Staffordshire Police on 101, quoting incident 614 of January 8, or by using Live Chat on the force’s website. To report anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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