Police on the lookout for child stalkers

By Richard Glover

Melkbos police are investigating two reports of child stalking in the area after they received two separate reports of a woman approaching child minders and commenting inappropriately about the children last week.

Although in both cases the suspect was described as "a fat coloured or white lady", police are treating the reports as two separate cases.

In one, the woman was driving a white Toyota Corolla and in the other a large silver bakkie.

The women are reported to have told the minders they had been sent by "the madam" to collect the child, or commented on the "cute baby" and asked if they could take it for "a ride".

Police spokesperson Bernadine Steyn said: "Two incidents were reported to Melkbos Police Station and an inquiry file was opened for investigation. Patrols in marked and unmarked vehicles were intensified, especially at schools, creches and daycare centres."

Police also visited schools to give the children safety tips so that they do not fall victim to a possible perpetrator.

The Melkbos police also released a radio announcement last week warning local residents of the potential danger to their children.

According to Steyn, the identity of the two women was not known, and police could not confirm the description of the two vehicles, as they had not received formal reports from the child minders who were approached.