A PRIMARY school has written to parents urging them to be vigilant after it was reported an attempt was made to snatch children.
The principal of St Mary's PS in Banbridge issued a statement following an incident that took place at about 8.35am on Wednesday in the Dromore Street area.
It was claimed that two children were walking past St Patrick's Church when they were approached by a man driving a red, older-style four door VW Golf.
He asked the children for directions, it was said, before offering them money and sweets before attempting to grab one of them.
Principal Des O'Hagan described the incident as "serious".
"Both children resisted and pulled away from him and the man drove off," he wrote.
"Although frightened and shocked by their experience, the children acted appropriately and sensibly and demonstrated amazing courage. They reported the incident immediately and were able to give confident, accurate descriptions and information to the PSNI."
Mr O'Hagan said the school's pastoral curriculum regularly reinforced the `stranger danger' message.
"As a direct response to the events we held special assemblies to re-iterate this message and advise what the children should do if placed in this type of situation," he added.
"Thankfully this type of incident is very rare and hopefully this advice will never be needed."
The police confirmed a 59-year-old man had been arrested following a reported suspicious approach in Banbridge.
"The male was detained this afternoon following a report that a man had approached two children in the Dromore Road area at around 8.35am this morning," a spokesman said.
"He remains in custody at present."
