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Stranger tries to snatch boy outside Herne Bay Infants School

A mother has told of the terrifying moment she feared her young son was being snatched outside a primary school.

Kayden-Jayne Grimshaw’s heart dropped as she saw her five-year-old boy being led away from Herne Bay Infants by a mystery woman.

The stranger insisted she had become confused and gripped the arm of the wrong child, before walking away from the scene alone when confronted.

Herne Bay Infant School
Herne Bay Infant School

Miss Grimshaw, of Underdown Road, Herne Bay, said: “My two sons were walking together and I was just behind with my three-year-old in the buggy.

“It was so busy with all the kids coming out of school and the boys were just a couple of seconds in front of me.

“It’s not always easy to get the buggy around people and I looked up and I lost sight of them for two seconds.”

Moments later the 28-year-old said she noticed a woman holding her five-year-old’s hand, waiting to cross the road.

“She had a grip on his wrist,” Miss Grimshaw said.

“I was thinking ‘why has she got hold of my son?’ My mum was a second in front of me so she grabbed his other arm and said ‘what are you doing?’.

Police visited the school to reassure parents and pupils
Police visited the school to reassure parents and pupils

“The lady said she thought it was her son. My mum had his arm as well at this point and then the woman just walked off towards the junior school.

“She looked a bit startled and was looking at the floor.

“She didn’t say sorry or anything. I was really confused and it happened so quickly I didn’t process it at the time.

“I left it overnight thinking maybe it was innocent, but when I spoke to the police the next morning it made me think.”

Miss Grimshaw says the incident, which is being investigated by police, has affected her son.

“When I asked him about it he went all shy,” she said.

“She had a grip on his wrist...I was thinking ‘why has she got hold of my son?'" - Kayden-Jayne Grimshaw

“I think it scared him because he is quite care-free usually. Now he’s clingy and doesn’t want me to leave him.”

School bosses sent a message home to parents advising they be extra vigilant when dropping off or collecting their children.

Police spokesman Steve Knight said officers have attended the school to provide reassurance to parents and pupils.

He said: “We were called at 9.20am on Friday, March 10, to a report of a woman acting suspiciously in Kings Road, Herne Bay.

“Officers have carried out inquiries into the incident and attended the location.

“No criminal offences are alleged to have taken place.”

Anyone with any further concerns should call 101.

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