POLICE are investigating separate reports that a young girl and a woman were followed by a van while walking in Petersfield.

The incident involving a 12-year-old girl happened on Wednesday, November 18.

In a warning posted on social media, her mother said: “My daughter was followed from The Petersfield School by a small white van, registration number starting LV14.

“The driver had brown hair and dark glasses and the second man had blonde hair and seemed to be kneeling or sat behind the driver.

“The van was parked in Love Lane, near the football club car park near Herne Junior School.

“They followed her home and then parked on the corner of our road and watched her let herself into our house.

“She was very scared, and called me, pulled the blinds down and locked the door.

“The van was gone by the time I got home half an hour later.”

Two days earlier on Monday, November 16, a 48-year-old woman reported seeing a van a number of times in Tilmore Gardens.

However, Acting Inspector Phil Shore says that in neither case were those being followed approached.

He said: “I’m aware that a local school has issued safety advice following these incidents, but I would like to stress that neither report involved anyone being enticed to get into a vehicle, and no-one was spoken to or even approached.

“We are investigating if these incidents are linked.

“We do not believe either is linked to any other reports made to police in recent months.

"We will be patrolling these areas of Petersfield as usual and are continuing to investigate these incidents.”

Anyone with concerns should contact police by dialling 101, or 999 in an emergency.